GUWAHATI, July 14 � Fancied ASEB Sports Club set up final date with Assam Police Blues in the Guwahati Sports Association organised Kaamakaaji NN Bhattacharya Football Tournament.
In the second semifinal of the championship at the Nehru Stadium here today, former champions ASEB outclassed Rising XI 4-1. The half time scoreline, however was 1-1.
The new look ASEB team started on a cautious note concentrating in the midfield. Their midfielders � Priyo Kumar Singh, Syed Ansar and Sibra Narzary � toiled hard to control the middle third of the pitch. They tried to feed frontliners Dipankar Sarkar and Kishan Singh with some diagonal passes but due to some good defensive play by Rising defenders, Subol Rabha and Philip Soren in particular, ASEB could not break into the opponent fort till the 38th minute. But, man-of-the-match Dipankar, who was left unmarked by Rising defenders, anticipated a high ball from Sibra and gently pushed home to put his team ahead (1-0).
Rising boys, who put up a spirited show in the first half, drew parity with a beautiful goal scored by Uttam Basumatary in the 43rd minute. It was Uttam�s solo effort who dribbled past two ASEB defenders and unleashed a power-packed left footer from top of the box and beat goalkeeper Mintu Sonowal at far corner of the goal (1-1).
But the second half completely belonged to ASEB as all their players brilliantly improved their team combination and completely shattered Rising�s plan and scored almost at will.
ASEB earned a spot kick in the 50th minute when Rising defender Philip brought down Sibra inside the box. Defender Biplob Kundu bulged the net from the spot (2-1).
After the penalty, Rising boys lost their rhythm completely and ASEB boys went on the rampage. Kishan made it 3-1 in the 58th minute off a move initiated by Dipankar and Sibra. Sibra fired the final salvo in the 63rd minute with a 25-yard left footer (4-1).
For Rising, veteran Girindra Rabha, Maheswar Bsumatary, Rajesh Rabha showed some courage and tried to build moves with their individual skills. But credit should be given to ASEB team management, coach Ganesh Rai in particular for arranging the defence line perfectly. The final will be played on July 16.
