GUWAHATI, Sept 4 � Showing superior techniques Assam Police Blues marched into the quarterfinal stage of the 59th Bordoloi Trophy Tournament.
In an entertaining encounter at the Nehru Stadium here today the policemen outran spirited Sunrise Athletic Club 4-2.
Police striker Joseph Masmalai was the hero of the day as he alone netted three for his team and recorded the first hattrick of this edition of the championship. Till the 70th minute Police Blues were leading 3-0. Rishikesh Medhi drew the first blood in the 27th minute with a 25-yard left footer. Just after two minutes Joseph enhanced the margin anticipating a square pass from Bijoy Rabha.
After the break unmarked Joseph again found the target from inside the box in the 53rd minute.
The Sunrise team after some hard work reduced the margin in the 70th minute when Enoch Amoafo�s powerpacked left footed drive beat Police custodian Deben Mahanta.
But their attempt of making a comeback ended in the 83rd minute when Joseph scored his third goal. Stanley Okechi, however, managed to make it 4-2 in the added time.
The Sunrise boys today played a spirited game at the initial stage with some positive moves. But Okechi and hard working Amoafo could not utilise the scoring opportunities.
On the otherhand all the Police players combined well and created enough spaces at the Sunrise striking zone.
Police defender Dhruba Kalita was given marching order mid way through the second session but Sunrise players failed to take the advantage.
Today�s match: Nagaland Police vs ARC.
