Agartala, July 13: Football fans are in for a thrilling showdown on Sunday evening as two of the tournament favourites—Egiye Chalo Sangha and Forward Club—lock horns in a highly anticipated knockout clash in the ongoing ‘Neeljyoti’ Rakhal Shield Football Tournament, being held at Umakanta Mini Stadium.
The encounter, slated for a 6 PM kickoff, marks the first marquee fixture of the season and is expected to set the tone for the remainder of the tournament. Organized by the Tripura Football Association, the match promises a fierce contest, with both sides boasting a roster of talented players, including several imports from outside the state.
Both teams completed their final training sessions on Saturday with intense focus. Coaches have been fine-tuning their strategies with an emphasis on zonal marking and quick transitions, aiming to exploit any gaps in midfield—a zone widely seen as the key battleground in tonight’s contest.
Football pundits believe that the tactical acumen of Forward Club’s coach could prove decisive. However, Egiye Chalo Sangha has a trump card of its own in the form of Debashish Rai, the prolific striker from Kalimpong, whose goal-scoring prowess has already earned him a reputation as a game-changer.
Joining Rai in the Egiye Chalo attack are Prem Kumar, Amarjeet Singh, Rajendra Singh, and Satyam Sharma—each capable of turning the tide. Amit Jamatia will man the posts, while Sabat Jamatia and Bulemani Jamatia are expected to add muscle to the defensive unit.
Forward Club, on the other hand, will be banking on their captain Manojit Singh Barua to lead from the front.
Exuding confidence ahead of the clash, Barua said, “We have a team that can electrify the football scene in Tripura. We’re determined to make our club officials and fans proud with a solid performance.”
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Their offensive setup features the dynamic Siyam Pia, Mohammad Moshar Follongbah, and Telem Singh, while goalkeeping duties rest on Mohammad Sinan from Kerala, known for his reflexes and calm under pressure.
With Sunday being a holiday, a capacity crowd is expected at the stadium. Tickets, priced at Rs 30, went on sale earlier in the day and are being snapped up quickly by eager fans.
Town Club Cruises into Quarterfinals with Win Over Jewels Association
Town Club booked their place in the quarterfinals of the ‘Neeljyoti’ Rakhal Shield Knockout Football Tournament after defeating Jewels Association 2-0 at Umakanta Mini Stadium on Saturday.
In a match that saw both teams struggling for rhythm, it was Town Club that managed to capitalize on key moments to seal the win. The contest, despite featuring two comparatively less-fancied teams, had its share of drama and grit—particularly from goalkeeper Sohel Laskar, who was later named Player of the Match for a stunning save that denied Jewels an equalizer.
After a goalless first half marked by missed chances and disjointed play, Town Club came out with renewed aggression post-halftime. Shubham Debbarma broke the deadlock in the 47th minute with a well-timed finish, giving his team a vital lead.
Jon Jamatia followed up with a second goal in the 62nd minute, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. Despite a late surge of counterattacks by Jewels Association, their efforts fell short of converting pressure into goals.
The match was not without its disciplinary moments either, as Lal Rowat Mawai of Jewels received a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
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While both teams struggled in midfield and often faltered with their passing, Town Club ultimately did enough to progress. However, they will need a sharper display in their upcoming quarterfinal clash against Blood Mouth Club on July 16.
Coach Sujit Ghosh will be hoping to iron out the flaws and reignite his team’s spark as the tournament heads into its critical phase.
