Dibrugarh, Nov. 21: A sixth minute golden goal by striker Arunjit Brahma helped Shalbagan Sports Club of Gossaigaon enter the quarterfinals of the ongoing 7th Assam Club championship.

The Gossaigaon club defeated Upper Assam giants Diamond Club of Charaideo 2-1 in the first match of the second phase, which got underway at the Nehru Maidan of the Oil India Limited (OIL) in Duliajan today.

After a goalless first half, Hunandra Narzary of Shalbagan did not make any mistake in converting a 60th minute penalty shot awarded due to handling of the ball by Diamond Club defender Bikash Borgohain.

However, the lead was short-lived as Diamond striker Phagu Gowala equalised with a spectacular goal three minutes later.

Though the match gained momentum after the scoreboards were moved and both sides made several forays into the rival citadels, none could convert any of the opportunities until Arunjit Brahma’s golden goal ended the dream run for the Charaideo club in the 6th minute of extra time. This is the third time that the Charaideo outfit played in the tournament and failed to make it to the finals. It had a first-round exit on both earlier occasions.

Though the spectators expected an exciting duel today, the match turned out to be lacklustre due to lack of finishing touch by both the sides. Yesterday’s pre-quarter match between Barama Sports Association (Nalbari) and Tinsukia Railway in Moran had been the most exciting tie in the entire tournament.

Tinsukia Railway entered the quarters defeating the Nalbari outfit. Shalbagan will now meet OIL, Duliajan, in the quarters. The two remaining pre-quarterfinals will be played tomorrow between Sports Authority of India (Golaghat) and Nabajyoti Club of Marigaon and between Nagaon Rajasthani Yubak Sangha and Jaokhlong Athletic Sports Club of Kokrajhar.

Guwahati Town Club, Assam State Electricity Board, OIL and 2nd Assam Special Reserve Force of Karbi Anglong have booked direct entry into the quarterfinals on the basis of being last year’s semifinalists.