Indian Air Force defeated I-League debutants TRAU FC by a solitary goal at the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah in the 129h Durand Cup on Friday.
In the 65th minute, Mohammed Aqib scored from a freekick after a barren first-half and the goal proved to be the only difference between the two sides.
With this win, the Indian Air Force joined Gokulam Kerala with three points apiece in Group D with one-match each. The two teams will clash on 14 August.
In an inconsequential Group A match in Kalyani, Army Red bounced back from a 1-2 deficit to hold Jamshedpur FC 2-2 with N. Suresh Meitei netting a brace.
They were the Army Red who found the lead early in the fourth minute when Meitei finished with a superb header. But within 15 minutes of the goal, the Jamshedpur boys netted the equalizer, courtesy Vimhal Kumar. To add to Army Red’s misery, Vimal helped his side gain the lead by scoring his second goal in the 33rd minute.
Following the wreck, the armymen returned strongly after the break and found the equalizer in the 67th minute off a penalty, which was netted by their saviour Meitei who scored his second goal of the match.
The Army Red now have two points from three matches, while Jamshedpur FC opened their account with a point. Both the teams are already eliminated from the race of semi-finals.
East Bengal lead Group A with six points and need a draw against Bengaluru FC on 14 August to secure a place in the semi-finals.
(With inputs from IANS)