Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21 2008:
Eight times champion Assam Rifles have inched closer to yet another title after over 37 years with a solitary goal win over MBSU, Wahengbam Leikai in the first semi final of the 52nd Sir Churachand Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Football Tournament at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.
The match mostly dominated by the Wahengbam Leikai side ended on a dull note at the break with neither side able to change the score board.
the Assam Rifles, that won the championship titles in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1957 and 1957 as 4th AR and later in 1968, 1969 and 1970 as Assam Rifles Soccer Team, and competing at the current competition as Assam Rifles, Tezpur broke the stalemate in the 61st minute.
AK Singh who weaved through the MBSU defence and drilled into the rival goalmouth resulted in S Kipgen tapping the ball in as defender M Lenpa miskicked an attempted clearance that landed near Kipgen.
Assam Rifles were also MBSU's nemesis at the same stage in 1970 with the Wahengbam Leikai side also failing to reach the summit round the very next year losing to TRAU.
AR advanced with a 3-2 win over AMOFA and 5-0 over SFA.
NEROCA and YWC will play the second semi final at the same venue at 1.30 pm tomorrow.