Guwahati, Sept. 27: An early goal by striker Nina Lepcha helped United Sikkim FC gain an easy entry into the semi-finals of the 64th Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Bordoloi Football Tournament, beating Bongobir Ogrogami FC, Sylhet, 1-0 in the last league match of Group B of the tournament at Nehru Stadium here this evening.
UnitedSikkim have three points in their kitty and needed a victory or at least a drawtoday to qualify for the semis as they had a better goal margin than holders Assam State Electricity Board SC, Guwahati, which had four points under their belt.
Today's victory took them to the semis with six points along with East Bengal Club from the group. The Calcuttans have nine points from three straight wins in the league.
Shillong Lajong FC and 3 Star Club, Nepal, on the other hand, qualified for the semis from Group A.
In today's match, Bongobir Ogragamifell flat in front of United Sikkim's well-organised attacks.
UnitedSikkimhad managed to take the game to the opponent's box right after the word go and earned the first goal for their solitary goal lead in the fifth minute.
Nima, coming through the centre, tapped in a calculated pass by Phurba Tshering from the left flank.
Gaining the early lead, United Sikkim fortified their defence and hence, the rest of the match comprised mostly of Bongobir Ogragami's foiled attacks.
In the 44th minute, the Bangladesh side had almost managed to earn an equaliser.
Rezaul Karim's shot was saved by custodian Bipin Bhattarai.
By the second half, the match was almost decided as the Bongobir Ogragami men could not even initiate a substantial attack; either their shots lacked force or the strikers could not connect the passes.
Opu Choudhury missed two scoring opportunities. In the 67th minute, he carried the ball into the box but his shot was too slow and was easily stopped by custodian Rai while in the 78th minute, he could not connect to a pass by Rakib Alk from the left flank.
Tomorrow, in two semi-final clashes, 3 Star Club will face UnitedSikkimFC and Shillong Lajong will face East Bengal Club.
