Southern Samity, Kolkata, did what they had to — win the match and enter the final phase of the 2nd division I-League football from group C.
Left with no other option but to bag full points to make the grade, Southern Samity stood up to the task and battled to a 2-1 victory over Mumbai Tigers. They, thus, not only emerged from the shadows of ouster but also topped the group with 17 points with five wins and two drawn games from seven outings. Mumbai Tigers stayed put on 16 points but sneaked through along with their conquerors at the expense of Vasco, Goa, who also had 16 points.
As per the AIFF’s tournament rules, when points are equal, the next criterion applicable is the result of the match between the concerned teams. Goal difference and higher number of goals scored are secondary. Mumbai Tigers had beaten Vasco 1-0 on March 19, which ensured their qualification. Langsning FC and Rangdajied United, the top two teams from group A, held in Singrauli, Mohammedn Sporting and Bhawanipore FC, the top two from group B at Indore, join Southern Samity and Mumbai Tigers in the final phase. Matches will be played on a double leg basis among the six sides with the top two gaining promotion provided they meet the now infamous club licensing policy applicable at the whims and fancies of the AIFF.
Striker Soven Chakraborty put Samity ahead in the 11th minute but Mumbai Tigers forced an equaliser through Mohammed Rafi in the 72nd minute. It looked as though they had done Vasco a favour but then Francis Oneyama struck in the 81st minute for what turned out to be the match-winner and group topping goal for Southern Samity. Eagles FC scored through Rino Anto and Sateesh late in the game to nullify earlier efforts from Hindustan FC strikers Andrea Silva and Mahendar Singh to force a 2-2 draw.