FARIDABAD: An injury time equaliser enabled Services overcome a determined Assam before making it from Cluster IV to set up a pre-quarterfinal clash with Bengal in the National football championship for the Santosh Trophy.

In a well-contested affair, Services drew 1-1 with Assam at the Sector 12 Sports Complex, much to the delight of its supporters who thronged the venue in an impressive number.

Assam needed to win since Services had a better goal average. The fact that a draw was enough led to complacency in the Services ranks. After a poor first half, Services shed its uncharacteristically defensive approach and came out a refreshingly different outfit on resumption, surviving a nightmare, thanks mainly to a brilliant effort by substitute C.P. Sajith.

Assam dominates

The first half was dominated by Assam and it was hardly surprising when it took the lead in the 62nd minute through Sanjeeva Rongtee, who headed in strongly. The unmarked Rongtee had anticipated the cross from Akom Ao and placed himself nicely to produce a precise placement into the Services goal.

The goal rattled the Services team. "We had no choice but to attack in the second half and I told the boys to go flat out," said Services coach Stanley Rozario. At one point, Services, with the exception of goalkeeper, had all its players in the Assam territory.

It was Assam's turn to defend as Services attacked relentlessly. A couple of scoring chances were wasted even as Shaji D'Silva and M.G. Ramachandran toiled tirelessly for the equaliser. Services enjoyed a providential escape when, a minute from the end, the hard working Sajith displayed impeccable opportunism to score with a reverse kick in a melee.

"The team played below potential and we have to improve drastically to match Bengal," said a much-relieved Rozario. In an inconsequential Cluster IV match at the same venue, Chandigarh overcame Sikkim 4-1. Samer Singh, Bhupinder Gosain, Harminder Singh and Kartik Bhardwaj scored for Chandigarh, while Tenzin Tsephel reduced the margin.

At Gurgaon, Meghalaya qualified from Cluster II to set up a pre-quarterfinal meeting with Haryana. Meghalaya dominated right through and registered a comfortable 5-1 victory over Uttar Pradesh at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex. Niwan O. Gatphoh scored two goals, while Marlanglei Suting, Romeo Sukhlein and Roland Pyngrope netted one each for Meghalaya. For Uttar Pradesh, the lone goal came through Amit Singh.

In another match of the same cluster, Mizoram defeated Andaman and Car Nicobar 5-0. The scorers were Sochungmi Raleng (two), S. Malsawmeluanga (two) and Jerry Zirsanga.

Wednesday is a rest day.

Thursday's fixtures:

Pre-quarterfinals: At Faridabad: Services vs. Bengal.

At Gurgaon: Meghalaya vs. Haryana.

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