Uzbeks in final

GUWAHATI, Oct 19: Navbakhar Club of Uzbekistan marched into the finals of the Tata Tea 46th Bordoloi Trophy football tournament beating O...

GUWAHATI, Oct 19: Navbakhar Club of Uzbekistan marched into the finals of the Tata Tea 46th Bordoloi Trophy football tournament beating Oil India Oil 4-2 at the Nehru Stadium here today.

Oil lead 2-1 during the breather, but the Uzbek team, after taking some time to gather momentum, came out of their shell in the second half and scored three goals.

While Shuhrat 2, Vitaliy and Mukhtar scored for the visitors, Bhupen Gogoi scored both the goals for the Oil team.

The partisan crowd got something to cheer about when the Oil Club suddenly scored a goal in the fourth minute against their formidable rivals.

Star striker Bhupen Gogoi scored first of his two goals when he sent in a powerful long ranger after getting a measured cross from EL Nathan Chulai, surprising the Uzbek keeper Belyakov Oleg.

In the 28th minute of the first half, the foreign team, however, restored parity through Rahmonkulov Shuhrat when he headed in after getting a cross from Khoshimov Avazbek.

Unfazed by better technique oftheir opponents, the young Oil India players managed to go in the lead again in the 34th minute when striker Bhupen Gogoi took advantage of a defensive lapse and shot in from close range.

Story continues below this ad

It was Shuhrat again who scored the equaliser when he shot in from close range to make the score read two-all.

Thereafter, the Oil players seemed to lose heart and despite continuous cheering by the crowd, their strikers failed to capitalise on several opportunities.

The Uzbek team took advantage of the situation and went into the lead for the first time in the game through defender Djalilov Vitaliy in the 37th minute.

One minute later the visitors scored another goal when striker Kurbanov Mukhtar made the scoreline 4-2.

Story continues below this ad

The visitors will meet the winners of tomorrow8217;s semifinal between Assam State Reserve Force and Trau Club of Manipur in the final.

Army XI prevail

NEW DELHI: Army XI and Vasco Club, Goa, won their pre-quarter final league matches in the Durand Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium heretoday.

In the first match, Army XI beat Nepal XI by a solitary goal scored by Johnny Gangmie in the 43rd minute.

In the second match, Vasco Club, Goa, emerged winners against Bhutan XI by an identical margin. The lone goal was scored by Sarat Singh in the 42nd minute.

Story continues below this ad

Tomorrow, Vasco will meet Indian Navy in the first match while Army XI will take on the Indian Air Force IAF later in the day.

The pre-quarter final league was inaugurated by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal SK Sareen.