Despite the big scoreline, it was Mumbai FC who broke the deadlock in the 9th minute of play when Aniket Saxena on getting hold of the ball scored through a placing strike.
It took Minerva AFC a good 20 minutes to find the equaliser, coming for the boots of Amarjit Mishra, 1-1.
The goal seemed to have boosted the Minerva AFC team spirit who thereon went on to net in seven more goals, with Manvir Singh and Shubham Saringhe firing three goals each while Amarjit scored his brace to round off the score tally to 8-1.
In the morning match, Royal Wahingdoh FC huffed and puffed before securing a 3-2 win over Ozone FA.
Royal Wahingdoh took the lead through Rheadolf Nelson in the 17th minute of play while 10 minutes later Phrangki Bhuam doubled the lead for the winners.
On resumption of play Ozone FA reduced the margin to 2-1 in the 65th minute of play through Umashankar.
At the other end Freestar Kharbangar increased the lead for Royal Wahingdoh in the 75th minute of play while four minutes later Ajay Alexa made it 3-2 in the 79th minute of play.
Margao reporter adds: at Nagoa, SAI, Guwahati scored a solitary goal win against Pune Football Club.
The match was really a clash of titans as both teams dominated the proceedings with Sachin K guarding the defence for Pune FC and Rupabir Basumatry holding the fort for SAI Gawahati while Gulam Ansari on the strike front for Pune FC with Bishnu Bordoloi making moves upfront for SAI, Gawahati throughout the match.
In the 5th minute, SAI Gawahati goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary came with a clean collection to thwart Pune FC’s Gulam Ansari move.
Thereafter, Bishnu’s header was saved by goalkeeper Deepak Saravanan of Pune FC in the 13th minute.
In the 42nd minute, Raikut S. Buam scored the match winner with a rasping drive which entered into the nylons of Pune FC off a fine cross by Bishnu.
Change of ends saw Pune FC trying their level best to equalise but the defence wall of SAI Guwahati stood like a solid rock under the bar.
Roshan Gigi of Pune FC floated a ball to Gulam in the 47th minute but defender Urjay Brahma of SAI Guwahat blocked the move.
Soon Gulam’s long ranger was fisted away for a corner kick by SAI Guwahati goalkeeper in the 59th minute. Bishnu in the 63rd minute dribbled past Pune FC defenders Chenattu Krishna and Sachin K but after entering the danger zone he shot went wide.
In another match, Mohammedan Sporting Club produced a clinical performance to blank Salgaocar FC 2-0, to seal semi-final berth.
Striker Surajuddin Munshi (44th and 47th) scored in each session to top Group-B with seven points from three matches.
Mohammedan SC will now face Minerva AFC in the semi-final on April 26, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
