Banggo United FC were on Saturday crowned champions of the Itanagar Solung Festival Football Tournament-2018 after they beat ‘arch rivals’ Solung United FC 4-2 in the finals of the coveted competition played at the AAPBn ground at Chimpu near here.
Though, the much anticipated rivalry started in full throttle with both teams working out hard to gain the lead, it was, however, a goal from Johnson Ragmukh in the 29th minute followed by a brace from Tony Ragyor in the 41st and 44th minute which later also won him the player of the match award and gave Banggo United the much wanted lead in the match.
The 3-goal cushion, however, came down to 2 within 4 minutes of the last goal being scored as Solung United’s Taja Bonung netted the first goal for his team on the 48th minute.
Where at one end Solung United continued to press hard to level the scores, it was once again Banggo United which came on top as Akar Hango, one of its wingers, managed to convert a close range shot into a goal in the 62nd minute, which also gave team Banggo United its 3 goal advantage back.
Though Solung United managed to score a second goal through Kaling Tatin in the 74th minute, it was too late for them to make an actual comeback in the match.
Earlier, the much anticipated clash was kicked off by Parliamentary Affairs commissioner, Bilatee Pertin in presence of several senior members of the Adi community.
Pertin, along with the other dignitaries present, later, also gave away the prizes to the winners, runners’ up and individual achievers.
With the win Banggo United FC walked away with a cash prize of Rs 50 thousand along with trophies while the runner’s up got richer by Rs 30 thousand.
The “Player of the tournament” award went to Gelat Jiji of Banggo United while Bani Ngupok of Doying Gollong FC bagged the award for the “Highest Scorer” for his 14 goals.
Riu Jayden Tangu of Solung FC was adjudged the “Best Goalie” of the tournament. Among others present on the occasion were Dambuk MLA Gum Tayeng and Liromoba MLA Nyamar Karbak.