Shillong: Defending champions Smit and 2017 winners Assam Rifles breezed into the quarter-final stage of the 4th Assam Rifles Invitational Football Tournament by winning their respective Round of 16 fixtures with ease at the Assam Rifles football ground in Laitkor on Friday. In the morning match Smit, who also won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2016, defeated Kith United 4-1, while it was one-way traffic in the afternoon game with Assam Rifles winning 5-0 over Umphrup. For Smit, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw, Banshanlang Nongdhar and R Khongjoh scored for Smit while JL Marshillong was the lone goal scorer for Kith United. In the second match, Lalboy Kipjen scored a hat-trick for Assam Rifles against Umphrup. The other two goals were scored by M Chetry and Jefferson Nongrud, to give the side a comprehensive 5-0 win. On Saturday, Mawpdang will face off with Madanryting at 10:30am while Nongthymmai will face Nongkrem at 1:30 pm.
