Md Sporting beat Assam Rifles 2-0; BSF down TFA 1-0 in Durand Cup

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) Mohammedan Sporting scored a facile 2-0 victory over Assam Rifles while former champions Border Security Force edged out Tata Football Academy by a solitary goal in the pre-quarterfinal league ties of the 119th Osian's Durand Cup football tournament here today.

The Kolkata outfit outplayed their rivals for most part of the match except the closing period of the second half with Raman Vijayan (10th minute) and Harbinder Singh (26th) scoring for them at the Ambedkar stadium here.

But the win may not be enough for Mohammedan to book a berth in the quarter-finals from the three-team Group 'A' as they had lost 1-2 to Air India, Mumbai, yesterday.

Air India need only a draw in their match against Assam Rifles tomorrow to make it to the last eight and join Mahindra United, Mohun Bagan and Sporting Club Goa.

Left half Surojit Roy was involved in both the goals. First, he received a long aerial pass from Noel Anthony Wilson and unleashed a powerful left footer from the top of the box which goalkeeper Satbinder Singh fumbled to collect and a lurking Vijayan slammed it home.

The second was a gem of a goal from a collective effort. After collecting an aerial ball from the right by Noel Wilson, Roy darted down the left flank and sent a pin-point cross which was perfectly connected by a Harbinder Singh header into the net.

The Shillong-based Riflesmen's only chance in the match came in the 65th minute but woodwork came in their way. An Akum Ao low right footer crashed into the upright and Ajit Singh shot from the rebound sailed over the bar.

Mohammedan could have made it 3-0 but for Bijen Singh's mistake.

The dimunitive striker, who replaced Raman Vijayan in the second half, was fed by Harbinder and Bijen dribbled past a rival defender as well as an onrushing goalkeeper but his goalbound shot was blocked by a closely following defender.

Earlier, BSF striker Sarabjit Singh capitalised on a grave error by TFA goalkeeper Cheeradeep in the 31st minute to send the boys from Jamshedpur packing in an evenly contested match. With two losses from two matches, TFA are out of the tournament.

The match did not have much to write home with both sides failing to create scoring opportunities.

Following a flag kick from the left, tall BSF defender Deepak headed in the ball and the goalkeeper failed to grab it properly and fell in front of Sarabjit who had all the time in the world to boot it home.

After resumption, TFA pressed hard for an equiliser and relying on quick short passes they made forays in the rival defence but failed to find the equiliser.

Promising striker Branco Cardozo made a valiant effort in the injury time but his diving header from a Shushil cross from the right sailed over the bar.

JCT will take on BSF in the first match while Air India will face Assam Rifles tomorrow.

UNI PDS DH KP1815