Defending Champion Smit and Assam rifles through to the last 8: 4th Assam Rifles Invitation Football Tournament

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 8, 2019

SHILLONG: Defending champions Smit and 2017 winners Assam Rifles breezed into the quarterfinal stage of the 4th Assam Rifles Invitational Football Tournament by winning their respective round of 16 fixtures with ease at the Assam Rifles football ground in Laitkor today.

In the morning match Smit, who also won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2016, defeated Kith United 4-1, while it was one-way traffic in the afternoon game with Assam Rifles winning 5-0 over Umphrup.

Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw put Smit into the lead in just the 4th minute and his team mate Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw doubled the lead in the 32nd min. J.L. Marshillong pulled a goal back for Kith United in the 41st minute to give his side some hope of a comeback in the second half, but Kith United were unable to score further, while Smit added two more thanks to Banshanlang Nongdhar (61′) and R Khongjoh (80′).

Later Lalboy Kipjen scored a hat-trick in Assam Rifles’ victory, producing goals in the 32nd, 54th and 58th minutes, the last via a penalty kick.

Kipjen was denied a fourth goal after a sharp save by Umphrup goalkeeper Rinambiangki Thangkhiew and he was substituted out a little while later.