Mahindras, Clube de Goa win

Steven Dias, one of the heroes of India8217;s title victory in the recently concluded Nehru Cup in Delhi, scored the winner for Mahindra United in the 10th minute.

It was an unlucky day for striker Minga Edson Dico as first his powerfull right footer struck the goalpost in the 70th minute and then when he found the mark two minutes later, he was adjudged off side.

HAL goalkeeper Gumpe Rime had a super day in office and if it wasn8217;t for his valiant effort the margin could have been larger.

In the other match of the day, the Goa league champions, Sporting Clube d Goa and last year8217;s Federation Cup runners- up rode a Boniface Ambani strike to victory. They will now take on Mahindras in the quarter finals.

Sporting missed the services of prolific striker Dudu, but former East Bengal striker Ambani made up for his absence.

Army XI did put up a good fight, but to no avail. 8220;If we exclude these foreign players from Sporting, no one else put in any effort. Army XI was looking much better,8221; said Sukhwinder Singh, JCT coach and former India coach, who was watching the match.