Md Sp out, AI, JCT advance

It seemed like a farce by the end of it all. Air India, who only had to draw with Assam Rifles in their last match of the pre-quarter final league of the Durand Cup, finally emerged 5-2 victors after a second half with nobody really knowing what was going on. The result also sent the Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting, packing from the tournament, Air India qualifying from the group along with JCT Mills.

Neither team had a great chance of scoring in the first half, but Rifles were easily the more creative. Two minutes before half time, Rifles8217; took the lead because of a defensive error. After that the floodgates opened as the game saw six more goals being scored.

The day8217;s earlier match between JCT Mills and BSF was a decider as well, with the winner going through to the next round. The JCT Mills8217; goalkeeper Karanjit Singh practically had to jump around and keep himself warmed-up, with the BSF attack-line forgetting to show up. In the absence from injury of two first-team players 8211; forward Gurjit Singh Atwal and keeper Kameshwar Singh 8212; the team from Jalandhar showed no bite, going down 0-3. JCT Mills, unbeaten in this stage, topped the group to go through to the quarter final league, where they face Army XI in their first match on Monday.