SHILLONG: Zomi FC entered the quarterfinals of the All India Chief Ministers’ Football Gold Cup by beating United Sikkim 4-3 on penalties.
Full time saw the teams level on one goal apiece on the third day of the tournament in Jorethang, Sikkim, with a tie-break to decide who would progress.
The first half was dominated by United Sikkim, with one goal scored by Jiten Rai after 20 minutes had been played.
United Sikkim, who played in the I-League last season, are a team owned by former India international Baichung Bhutia.
Zomi then regained their strength during the second half and within 20 minutes of the restart, they scored through Naotan, who has been the top-scorer of the tournament so far, with a total of two goals.
Although both teams battled it out for the winning goal, the match was pushed to a tie-break.
Zomi’s players then scored four goals from the spot, while the Sikkim team could only end up netting three.
Pu Jedidi Haokip saved two goals for Zomi FC.
Zomi, a team from Manipur, will now face the tough Nepal team in the last-eight round.