Guwahati, Sept. 7: Mizoram XI and hosts Gauhati Town Club entered the semi-finals of the 2nd Airtel GTC Challenge Trophy football tournament at Judges Field here.
In the first two quarter-finals played under floodlights on Sunday evening, Mizoram XI got the better of Arhima, Shillong, 5-4 via tie-breakers and GTC too edged past Oil India FC, Duliajan, 6-5 in a similar fashion.
The first quarter-final match between Mizoram and Arihima ended in a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. As the match went into the shootout, Mizoram emerged winners. Sama Hwamte, Laldampuia, Samuela, Lalchhawnkima and Lalhon Chanunga scored for Mizoram XI in the penalty shootout while for Arhima, Dapbar Bareh, Kenol, Engeneson and F. Ranel found the net.
The second quarter-final match between GTC and Oil India FC too was an encounter which kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Oil India surged ahead in the 25th minute when F. Wary scored off a rebound from the GTC woodwork. In the second half, the GTC men exhibited power, finesse and character as they equalised in the 70th minute through Langka Basumatary.
In the tie-breakers, GTC goalkeeper Dulu Gogoi foiled the very first kick from Minto Boro of Oil India.
All five kicks by the GTC men from the penalty mark were converted. The end result read 5-4 in favour of GTC.
Those who scored for GTC in the penalty included N. Basumatary, Lakhyajit Konwar, Tomba Singh, Disister Marak and Janap Deuri. For Oil India, R. Routa, M. Thangjom, J. Basumatary and B. Sonowal converted their shots.
GTC will play their semi-final on September 10 against the winners of the ASEB-Sunrise tie while Mizoram XI will play theirs a day earlier against the winners of SSA and Army Green.
The final is scheduled for September 12.
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