From relegation zone to super four; Dramatic entry for Silchar Sporting, India Club knocked out of Super Division Football 

It is not just another Ramanuj Gupta Memorial Super Division Football tournament but it is one of the most dramatic editions of the prestigious event. Today, Silchar Sporting took on debutant Abhinava Club with all at stake. A defeat would have relegating them to the lower division but a win with a margin of three or more would have guaranteed them a spot in the super four. Their qualification, on the other hand would knock the gigantic India Club out of the tournament. For Abhinava Club too, it was do or get relegated.

Silchar Sporting stepped in with intent while Abhinava Club parked the bus putting up a defensive strategy. For the veteran Coach, Subir Dey, it was just a matter of minutes before his team broke through the defensive line. 29th minute of the match, Dindayal Thapa scored the first goal of the match to hand Sporting the much needed advantage but they were still two goals behind. Playing to better India Club’s Goal Difference, the Sporting kept missing one after another chance to end the first half at one – nil.

Coach Dey added more reinforcements to Sporting’s attack and on 59th minute of the match, Sanaj Ahmed Mazumdar scored the second goal for Sporting. With one goal away from the Super Four, not only the fans but Silchar Sporting got India Club management to the edges of their seat. Mazumdar scored his second and the team’s much needed goal on the 79th minute. The turning point of the match turned out to be Coach Subir Dey’s decision sub in Jeheba Hmar to add more pace through the right wing. He provided the assist for the third goal and himself went on to score the fourth to end the match at 4 – 0 in favour of the Silchar Sporting.

With this win, Sporting made it into the top four but landed a huge blow to the giants of Barak Valley football the mighty India Club. For the first time in the history of Ramanuj Gupta Super Division Football, India Club failed to qualify for the top four. On the other hand, debutant Abhinava Club faced relegation.