Bhudiram Tudu's fine hat-trick propelled United Sikkim FC (USFC) to the top of Group ‘A' ahead of Southern Samity, which won through Rajid Ahmed's brace against North Imphal Sports Association, Manipur.
Both USFC and Samity ended on 13 points but USFC's superior goal difference (+8) to Samity's (+5) clinched the issue in its favour.
Langsning SC won 3-0 against Guwahati Town Club to take third spot with 11 points. NISA was fourth with nine points.
In a Group ‘B' encounter, favourite Mohammedan Sporting emerged Group winner with 14 points. Tope Fuja-coached Sporting registered an emphatic 2-0 win over Ar-Hima of Meghalaya.
Ar-Hima, Malabar United and Kenkre FC from Mumbai are in contention for second spot from this group.
The results:
Group ‘A': United Sikkim 4 (Bhudiram Tudu 32, 54, 59; M.P. Sajith 72) bt Golden Threads 1 (Bijen Singh 81); Southern Samity 2 (Rajid Ahmed 66, 78) bt NISA 0; Langsning SC 3 bt Guwahati Town Club 0.
Group ‘B': Mohammedan Sporting 2 (Chizoba Christopherm 58, Han Wook 69) bt Ar-Hima 0 . — Special Correspondent