GUWAHATI, Sept 21 � GSA Super Division Football League champions ASEB Sports Club edged past Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Delhi 1-0 in the first quarterfinal of the 63rd Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament.
On the slushy Nehru Stadium ground here today, Sanatambu Sarma netted the match winning goal in the 40th minute. Sanatambu got the ball from Jessy Vanlalmuana after an unplanned move at the left flank. Spearing no time he unleashed the ball with a left footer and the ball sailed into the goal deceiving the CAG custodian Manveer Singh who was not in the right position. The shot was a mixture of accuracy and element of surprise which beat the CAG goalkeeper at the far corner.
It was, however, the Delhi team which started the proceeding with a positive note. But their frontliners-Reegan, Harminder Singh and Ravinder Singh failed to hit the back of the ASEB net from a favourable position.
The CAG players looked in a better shape at the initial stage and created few scoring opportunities taking advantage of their speed, ball controlling and power. But gradually they started fading up as the ASEB defenders and midfielders foiled their moves with perfect tacklings. Mitradev Swargiary, Biswajit Boro, Sunil Murmu and Vanlal Zuidika guarded the ASEB fort standing like a rock-solid wall.
In the second session the Delhi team tried heart out in search of the equaliser. Jashan Preet fed his attackers from the midfield frequently but the strikers were never allowed to enter the striking zone by the ASEB defenders. ASEB custodian Daoga Brahma also did a splendid job under the bar and rescued his team from danger in a couple of occasions.
CAG defenders Som Nath, Sanjeeb Maira had to toil in their penalty area and foiled several ASEB moves in the second session.
Now ASEB will take on the winners of the OIL FC and Pune FC match in the semifinal.
Today�s match: NFR vs Assam Rifles.
