Shillong, Mar 13: Mawpat became the fourth and last team to secure their place in the semifinal round of the 4th Assam Rifles Invitational Football Tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory over Nongkrem at the Assam Rifles football ground in Laitkor today.
Defender Pyngrope produced a hat-trick, with Pynshailang Kharduit scoring one. Bankyrshan Mawthoh provided the lone goal for Nongkrem.
Pyngrope broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, with Kharduit doubling the lead in the 40th minute.
Nongkrem tried to get back into the contest in the second half and kept Mawpat goalkeeper Kerechard Lyngdoh busy, but could not find a way through, while at the other end Pyngrope bagged his second goal after some nice combination play before firing the ball into the far corner of the net.
Nongkrem were later denied when Hehkamai Sari’s header hit the upright, but they found a goal with five minutes to go when Mawthoh headed in a cross.
However, Pyngrope secured his hat-trick via an easy tap-in during stoppage time off a cross from team mate Banteinam Kharkongor.
The two semifinals will be held tomorrow at the Assam Rifles football ground in Laitkor. At 10:30AM Lawmali will take on Smit, followed by Assam Rifles versus Mawpat at 1:30PM.
(Photo contributed by Assam Rifles. Mawpat are in blue, Nongkrem in red stripes)
