Stroll in the park for BSF and ONGC in Durand qualifiers

Border Security Force strolled to a 3-1 victory over the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre in a Durand Cup qualifier at the Ambedkar Stadium, reports Moonmoon Ghosh.

Border Security Force (BSF) strolled to a 3-1 victory over the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre (GRRC) in a Durand Cup qualifier at the Ambedkar Stadium on Monday.

HT Image

GRRC, who had maintained a clean sheet in their previous match, conceded three goals as their goalkeeper Sameer Pradhan had to be carried off the field after being injured.

Substitute keeper Tshering Lepcha immediately felt the pressure as Mani Tombi Singh (38th minute) and Sarabjit Singh (45th minute) scored to put BSF 2-0 up.

Santosh Kujur then slid in to the near post in the 55th minute to beat lepcha and score the third goal for the team in red.

Lamkholen Kipgen missed a clear chance for GRCC in the 63rd minute. A perfect through pass found him in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper but Kipgen failed to capitalise.

With the GRRC players looking tired and defeated, a consolation goal was in the offing when the referee awarded GRCC a penalty in the 75th minute. Rakesh Basumatry, who had scored a hattrick in the previous match, stepped up and sent goalkeeper Kalyan Mitra the wrong way to make it 3-1.

In the other qualifier, ONGC beat Army Juniors 2-0. Goals by Baba Tunde (47th minute) and J Lalsangzuala (85th minute) ensured victory for manager BK Bhowmik's outfit.

Simla Youngs will take on Assam Rifles today for a place in the quarterfinal league stage of the Durand Cup.