BSF beat Air Force XI 3-1, Salgaocar down Navy XI 3-2 in Durand Cup

New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) Former champions Border Security Force (BSF) began their campaign in style with a facile 3-1 win over IAF XI while a late strike by Felix Chimaokwiu ensured Salgaocar overcome Navy XI 3-2 in the qualifying round ties of the 119th Osian's Durand Cup football tournament here today.

The securitymen, who got a bye, dominated their rivals throughout the match and scored two goals within the first 10 minutes through Harjit Singh (1st minute) and Gurjit Singh Atwal (eighth minute).

Gurjit made it 3-0 in the 59th minute before WP Singh pulled one back for IAF three minutes before the final whistle.

In the second match, another former winners Salgaocar had to overcome a spirited challenge from Indian Navy.

R C Prakash (22nd) and Patrick Okonji (59th) put the Goan side 2-0 up but Indian Navy fought back, scoring two goals in the space of ten minutes through B Venugopal (65th) and Y S Abhilesh (75th) to restore parity.

Just as it seemed that the match was heading towards extra time, Felix scored for Salgaocar in the 87th minute, firing a powerful shot after dodging past a couple of defenders.

Tomorrow's match: Assam Rifles VS Gorkha Rifles XI 1300 hrs Army Greens VS Churchill Brothers 1500 hrs UNI PDS PM BS1935