33rd Federation Cup: Royal Wahingdoh take big step towards qualification

Royal Wahingdoh FC took a giant step towards qualification to the quarterfinal league of the 33rd Federation Cup with a lone goal victory against another débutante United Sikkim FC in the ongoing Group B qualifiers. The Shillong side got the better of their Northeastern rivals at the Mohun Bagan ground on the Kolkata Maidans, while in another group match Southern Samity beat Mumbai's ONGC 2-1 to stay in contention to move on.

African striker Nurain Kareem Omolaja scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute of the game for Royal Wahingdoh SC with United Sikkim FC on the hunt for the equaliser throughout the game thereafter, but their players be it Sushil Kumar Singh, Thoi Singh, Babatunde and Ayeni Bidemi Daniel wasted numerous scoring chances.

In the days other match local side Southern Samity overcame I-League relegated ONGC 2-1 at the Howrah Maidan. The goals for Southern Samity were scored by midfielder Jamir Ali Mondal and Brazilian striker Edmilson Marques Pardal, while ONGC reduced the deficit in the last minute of the game through Kenistan C.

With their second win in the qualifiers Royal Wahingdoh are now on top with six points followed by United Sikkim and Southern Samity, who both have three points while ONGC remain without a point. In the final Group B matches Royal Wahingdoh SC only need a point against eliminated ONGC to move on, while United Sikkim FC and Southern Samity face each other with only the winner of this tie having a theoretical chance to get to the tournaments next stage.