Mahindra drub BSF 4-1

Mumbai's Mahindra United, top rankers in the National Football League, began their campaign in the Durand Cup with a bang defeating BSF, Jallandhar 4-1 in a Group "C" quarterfinal league match in New Delhi.

Earlier, an U-19 AIFF team, seeded directly to the last eight stage in their first appearance lost to Army XI 3-5 in a Group D quarterfinal.

Despite the win, Army XI, who lost to Goa's Zee Churchill 1-2 in their earlier match in three-team group, were out of the championship. Zee Churchill will need only a draw against the U-19 side in their match to make it to the semifinals.

Backed by a strong midfield and with four Nigerians Musa, Oparanozie, Okolo and Usman in their ranks, the Mumbai outfit thoroughly outplayed BSF with a fast-paced game and superior skill, leading 3-1 at half time.

For Mahindras, Jules Alberto Dias, Bala Usman, Raman Vijayan and substitute S Venkatesh struck while Santosh Kajur netted the consolation goal for Army XI.

In the other match, the U-19 side came up with an unimpressive display and succumbed to the army men despite leading 2-1 at the breather.

114th Durand Cup 2002 - the complete coverage
National Football League - the complete coverage