With IOCL and Army XI having already qualified for the semifinals from the group, the match was an inconsequential affair and it turned out to be a drab affair. While DYSS showed some spring in their stride early on, they soon fizzled out unable to hold onto to the ball for long and sprayed the pitch with poor passes. ONGC, with five former India internationals in their squad, failed to captilise on the experience.
DYSS surged into the lead in the 15th minute when medio Aiyappa Biddappa released a short pass to Sommanna Mandappa, who struck it neatly past ONGC custodian Kamaldeep Singh. Mandappa had a chance to double his tally in the 27th minute but his shot from close range was thwarted well by Kamaldeep.After failing to equalise on a couple of attempts, Dharmender brought the match on level terms in the 67th minute, cashing on some slack goalkeeping by DYSS’ Tharun Thammanna. With the ball in the striking cricle, Thammanna kicked it straight to Dharminder who accepted the gift.
IOCL, Army XI draw
In the day’s second match, IOCL and Army XI played out a 2-2 draw. Elizer Lakra handed Army the lead in the 12th minute before Deepak Thakur equalised for IOCL a minute later. Army went in front again in the 27th minute through Ignace Tirkey but Thakur levelled with his second in the 55th minute.