A moment from the match between OIL, Duliajan, and Assam Police Blues at Nehru Stadium on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Nov. 12: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Ltd, Mumbai, marched into the 56th Bordoloi Trophy tournament quarterfinals today.

ONGC edged past Shillong XI 2-1, while Oil India Ltd (OIL), Duliajan, set up Wednesday’s pre-quarterfinal clash with Vasco, Goa, blanking out Assam Police Blues 6-0 at Nehru Stadium here today.

In a cluster IV match on the first turf, the Mumbaikars fashioned a lead for themselves in the few early minutes of the encounter. They continued to dominate the proceedings for nearly 70 minutes till the Shillongites finally managed to score.

ONGC led 1-0 at half time, with a 38th minute goal by Tarif Ahmed, who beat the Shillong XI defence with solo efforts to ruffle the net with a powerful shot from inside the D-box. Substitute Shankar Seel enhanced the lead in the 68th minute, converting a cross off Sibhash Banerjee from the right flank to push in the ball through the second post.

Trailing by the two goals, the Shillongites regrouped for the lone salvo in the 74th minute off the boot of Newan-o Gatphoh, who made no mistake collecting a pass from substitute Barister Rymbai.

Rymbai got the opportunity to equalise in the dying minutes of the match. However, his powerful right footer from outside the D-box rebounded from the woodwork, even after beating ONGC’s substitute custodian Rajaj Godutidar.

The Shillong men went on to exert maximum pressure on the ONGC defence during the last 10 minutes of the match, forcing all the 11 players on the back foot as they tried to defend their castle.

ONGC have joined Abahani Ltd, Dhaka, in Group B of the quarterfinals league. The third team for the group will be the winner of tomorrow’s pre-quarterfinal match between Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong, and Food Corporation of India Sporting Club, Guwahati.

On the other turf, the policemen were no match for the OIL team in a tame one-sided affair. After facing some initial resistance in the first half, the Duliajan men tore apart the Assam Police Blues defence to pump in goals in quick succession.

Striker Durga Boro opened the floodgates in the 30th minute, with which OIL led 1-0 till the breather. F. Wary increased the lead after four minutes into the second session, while Durga Boro struck again for his second goal just three minutes later.

Substitute Jayanta Basumatary pumped in the fourth goal for OIL in the 57th minute. Marlangki Suting netted the fifth goal in the 81st minute, which was followed by another goal off the boot of seasoned medio H.L. Routa in the 87th minute.

ASEB SC, Guwahati, will clash with Nagaland Police in another pre-quarterfinal encounter tomorrow.