Margao : United SC came from behind to down Air India 2-1 in the group B quarter-final league match of the 127th Durand Cup, played at Raia Panchayat ground, here this evening.
Thus, United SC who finished their league engagement finished on three points from two matches are behind Sporting Clube de Goa who also have three points but have better goal difference against United SC.
Air India, who are still to open their account, play their last match on November 2 against Sporting Clube de Goa which will decide which team qualifies for the knock out stage.
With one team qualified from each group, a draw is enough for Sporting Clube de Goa against Air India to make the semi-finals.
Air India started on a promising note and took an early lead in the third minute through Siddharth Nayak. United SC regrouped and restored parity in the 14th minute from a penalty.
Air India keeper Vian Joseph, who came out to intercept an aerial ball, brought down Surojit Bose inside the box and referee B Nagoorkani awarded a penalty for United.
Babun Das, who took the penalty, made no mistake in finding the net to have his team restore parity. Thereafter, they kept probing into the rival goal with occasional forays and scored the winner in the stoppage time of the first half.
A long lob from the right saw Sujay Oram hit the ball towards the goal. Air India defender Santosh Koli made the last effort to clear the ball on the goal line but ended in shooting into his own net.
