4th Assam Rifles Invitational Football Tournament: Lawmali SC face Assam Rifles in final

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Lawmali SC and Assam Rifles will clash for the much-coveted champions’ trophy of the 4th Assam Rifles Invitational Football Tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here tomorrow. Kick-off will be at 3:45pm.

The final is unique in the history of the competition as Lawmali did, in the semifinals, what no other team has managed to do before - that is stop Smit from reaching the final. Smit were the champions in 2016 and 2018, while Assam Rifles bagged the title in 2017.

Sixteen teams began the knockout tournament, which began on March 6, with the top two set to battle it out for the 2019 title. Shri Tathagata Roy, the Honourable Governor of Meghalaya, will be the chief guest on the occasion of the final, which will also be graced by the presence of the patron of the tournament, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan.

This season Lawmali have scored 10 goals while only conceding three. On the other hand, Assam Rifles have scored 20 goals while also conceding three.

Lawmali have a young squad, but many of their players are regular members of top local clubs. Damehun Syih, Will Marbaniang and Shanbor Jyrwa will be key players. The jawans will rely on Lalboi Kipjen to get them a few goals tomorrow. He has already scored eight goals in three games, including two hat-tricks. Jefferson Nongrud, who previously played his club football for Nangkiew Irat, and H Haokip will also be danger players for Assam Rifles.

The action on the pitch is sure to be of high quality and, besides the football, there will also be a mass band display, which has become an impressive and eagerly awaited part of the show over the years.

The Assam Rifles has extended an open invitation to the public to attend the final and entry will be free.

Also read: Meghalaya news