A moment from the match between SAIL and ASRF at Nehru Stadium on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Oct. 13: The Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Durgapur today entered the quarter-finals of the 55th Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Bordoloi Trophy football tournament, beating 2nd Assam Special Reserve Force (ASRF), Diphu 2-1.

The Arup Dutta struck a goal each for the Durgapur outfit in either half of the match for today’s win.

In the evenly-poised contest, Dutta drew first blood in the 25th minute, capitalising on a defence lapse to help his side lead 1-0 at breather. Conceding the goal, 2nd ASRF coach Moniram Basumatary did not waste time in substituting custodian Anjan Gohain with Pabitra Swargiary.

The second session, too, saw keen contest but the game remained mostly confined to the midfield, unlike in the first half when most of the offensives culminated at the opponent castle.

Dutta struck again in the 64th minute of the match to further consolidate the lead. Substitute Harthang Teron reduced the margin cashing in on a pass from Nakul Basumatary in the 79th minute.

The match, however, would have belonged to the Diphu policemen had striker Birat Mech not squandered at least three easy opportunities to score.

With today’s win, the Durgapur men set up Sunday’s quarter-final clash with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), Mumbai.

Grant: Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev today extended a grant of Rs 5 lakh towards organising the tournament.