GUWAHATI, July 22 � ASEB Sports Club took the lead in the very second minute of the match and maintained the lead till the last minute of the regulation time. But finally spirited Town drew parity just before the final hooter and outshot ASEB in tie breaker to emerge champions by an aggregate of 4-3 goals.
This was the brief story of the keenly contested title clash of the Kaamakaazi sponsored NN Bhattacharyya Football Tournament at the Nehru Stadium here today. Anticipating a floater sent by Sanjeeva Rongpi off a set piece, Shyam Mura drew first blood for ASEB. But the Town boys were in a never-say-die mood and finally got the equaliser in the 90th minute when skillful Usenekong Duke kept his cool to put the ball home after making one-two pass with Chandan Boro.
In the tie breaker, Roger Viera Barbosa, Tomba Singh, Lalri Marwia were the successful shooters for Town, while for ASEB only Sanjeeva Rongpi and Kamal Chetry could hit the target. It was a well contested encounter as the ball roamed around from one end to another quite frequently. Experienced Sanjeeva led his mates at the upfront but hardly got adequate support from the midfielders.
On the otherhand, Duke was the livewire of the Town attacking line who combined well with Saisa Basumatary who was later declared as the best player of the tournament. Duke got the best player of the final award.
In the closing function, TG Baruah, Chairman of the Assam Tribune Group of Newspapers, Ruli Ahmed, propirator of Kaamakaazi restaurent, Ankur Dutta, secretary of Assam Football Association were present as guests and they gave away the prizes to the teams and individuals.
