Hailakandi, March 13 : Home outfit Young Men’s Club (YMC), Karimganj, booked their final berth by defeating Ishtantic Club, Jorhat, by 3-1 goals in the first semi-final of the 13th Assam Club Championship football tournament at the District Sports Association ground in Karimganj yesterday.
Ishtantic today took the lead in the third minute of the match through a goal by Biju Bora. It was equalised by D.L. Hmar in the 30th minute. The second goal for the home side also came from the boot of Hmar in the form of a penalty kick in the 38th minute. Sansulena Halam scored the last goal in the 77th minute.
The match was, however, marked by frayed tempers, with the Ishtantik players abusing referee Tauhid Ullah.
Trouble erupted in the 81st minute when the referee ignored an appeal by the Jorhat players for a handball by a YMC player. Match commissioner Mrinal Kanti Roy and the DSA officials stepped on to the turf to bring the situation under control. None of the Jorhat players was, however, booked for assault.
Earlier, the Jorhat men walked out thrice protesting against the decision of the referee and on all the occasions, the DSA officials convinced them to return to the field.
In the second semi-final of the tournament on Friday, Public Health Engineering Recreation Club (PHE RC) of Silchar will clash with United Club, Lakhipur. The final will be played on Sunday.
YMC on Sunday defeated Tinsukia Railway Sporting Club 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Mintu Sonowal started the proceedings for Tinsukia in the 55th minute of the match. Sanga Halam scored the first goal for the Karimganj in the 71st minute. Lalmuan Kima scored the second and third goal in the 72nd and 75th minute respectively to give the Karimganj men their victory.
Ishtantic Club entered the semi-finals defeating Global Club of Gossaigaon in sudden death.
PHE RC entered the semi-finals defeating Sports Authority of India (SAI) of Golaghat 5-3 in tie-breakers on Tuesday.
United Club, Lakhipur, booked their semi-final berth, as the third team of Barak Valley, defeating Sivasagar Football Coaching Centre by a solitary goal.