In another inconsequentional match in the same group, Aryans Club (Ambala) trounced DSA (Varanasi) 5-1. Though both SBI and Shastri had already made the semi-final grade, the question remained about the group topper. Since the teams had logged five points from three outings each, the fate was decided through a draw of lot, in which SBI emerged group topper. The semis are slated for the morrow.

A lacklustre encounter was not expected after Shastri had surged ahead in the seventh minute itself when Bhupinder Thakur struck for the hosts. After this goal, the hosts unnecessarily went into the shell and limited themsleves to guarding their citadel rather than striking when the iron was hot with SBI back peddalling. Some wild, unimaginative shooting by their fowards did them in even as the Hyderabad team looked for an equaliers. And luckily, SBI did find it in the 73rd minute when S.A. Jaleel shot home.

Aryans, having been ousted, had to redeem themselves in their last league game. Bablu and Deep struck within five minutes of each other in the first session and after the break Bablu added one more before Mahipal chipped in with the fourth. Ramesh Rawat of DSA reduced the margin but Binder completed the rout by placing home a minute before time.