BORDOLOI TROPHY

Guwahati, Oct. 6: Shillong-based Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) remained in the hunt for their second championship win of the season with a come-from-behind victory over Nagaland Police in the first semi-final of the 51st Bordoloi Trophy football tournament in the floodlit Nehru Stadium here today.

Trailing by a goal, ARC skipper Lama Chunna shot home the equaliser in the dying minutes (44th minute) of the first half. He scored the winner in the 67th minute. Nagaland Police drew first blood through Lanu Senna in the 23rd minute.

Last Month, ARC won the Dugar Shield at Tezpur beating Oil India Limited 2-1 in the final.

A Sunday crowd of over 2,000 people watched the keen contest, fuelling hopes of the Guwahati Sports Association of a higher turnout in the next two matches.

In its last match, ARC outplayed unimaginative and listless Super Division champions Guwahati Town Club 6-0 while Nagaland Police got the better of Assam Police Blues by a solitary goal.

The second semi-final is expected to be a cracker between Assam State Electricity Board and favourites Manipur XI, which comprises the state’s Santosh Trophy probables.

The ASEB team, which has several Santosh Trophy probables in its ranks, will be no pushover. Though it will miss seasoned Shankar Barman in the goal, its midfield has been bolstered by the recruitment of Lalram Ruata, who was with Goa’s Dempo Club. Playing in his first match, Ruata scored one of the two gaols in ASEB’s 2-0 win over Assam Rifles on Friday.

In its first match yesterday against Shillong XI, the Manipur outfit was far from impressive in its 4-2 win. Leading 3-0 at the break, it conceded two goals in five minutes before recovering. ASEB will have to play the waiting game against Manipur and depend on counter-attacks.