C.K. Sarma Trophy
Water resources minister Prithibi Majhi (holding trophy) and Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan (in blue shirt) present the champions’ trophy to Oil India FC in Dibrugarh on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Dibrugarh, June 14: Holders Oil India FC, Duliajan, retained the C.K. Sarma Invitational Football trophy, edging out arch rivals Assam Police 5-4 via tiebreaker in a high voltage final at the Chowkidingee playground, here.
Assam Police’s prolific striker Robijit Zigdung provided his team with the lead in the 12th minute of the match, scoring from close quarters and dribbling past the two dependable Oil stoppers, skipper Biplob Sonowal and Raju Konwar.
Assam Police lost goalkeeper Kailash Das who engaged in a nasty clash with Oil striker Mintu Boro in the fifth minute of the match.
Das was hospitalised at the Assam Medical College and Hospitals (AMCH) with severe eye and head injuries.
Deben Mahanta substituted him and came up with some spectacular saves, particularly in the second half.
Down by a goal, Oil stepped up its attack and the trio of Manas Manjit Chetia, Nigerian A.O. Waheed and Mintu Boro raided enemy territory constantly.
During one such raid, Waheed scored the equaliser, capitalising upon a well-judged pass from Mintu in the 69th minute.
In the penalty shootout, Zoidin Hmar, Jayanta Basumatary, Mintu Boro and Biplob Sonowal managed to score for Oil India FC while Raju Konwar’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper and Mathew Thongjom shot out.
For Assam Police, Munna Bhai Limbu, Robijit Zigdung, Madhusudhan Hazarika managed to score while Oil custodian Jitu Chetry saved the shots of Monoj Boro and M. Mangthai Singh. Ghanakanta Rajbongshi shot out.
Robijit Zigdung and Waheed were declared the Best Players of the Tournament.
Moran Town Club bagged the Fair Play trophy.
Water resources minister Prithibi Majhi and Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukon gave away the champion’s trophy, while the runners-up trophy was handed over by Dibrugarh District Sports Association President Munindra Nath Saikia.