Lenruol FC of Silchar booked their place in the next round of the OIL India Gold Cup Football Tournament after overcoming NRL FA, Numaligarh, 4-3 in a thrilling pre-quarter-final at the Nehru Maidan Sports Complex in Duliajan on Tuesday.
NRL FA made a strong start, with Pabitra Nath, wearing No. 37, scoring in the third minute before doubling the lead in the 17th minute.
Lenruol FC reduced the deficit through Chingthaipou, No. 6, in the 36th minute. The Silchar side continued its attacking approach after the interval, with Lalthlanawma, No. 16, restoring parity in the 49th minute.
Stephen Ngurchhuanmawa, No. 7, then put Lenruol FC ahead in the 53rd minute before Laldanbul Sakachep, No. 19, added another goal in the 65th minute to make it 4-2.
NRL FA refused to give up as Pabitra Nath completed his hat-trick in added time. However, Lenruol FC held on in the closing stages to secure a 4-3 victory.
Despite NRL FA’s defeat, Nath was adjudged Man of the Match for his three-goal performance.
The match was part of the main round of the ninth edition of the OIL India Gold Cup, which brought together 14 teams from across the country and the Northeast.
Organised by Oil India Limited under the technical guidance of the Assam Football Association, the tournament began at Nehru Maidan following the qualifying rounds held at Mazgaon Playground from September 11 to 16.
Launched in 2005, the Gold Cup resumed last year after a brief hiatus. The ongoing edition will feature the pre-quarter-finals, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final on October 3.
