Goals from Nigerian Olushola Ogundare (eighth minute) and substitute Bibiano Fernandes (66th) saw off the challenge of the valiant soldiers, who gave the Goan outfit a good fight.

Ramachandran pulled one back in the 92nd minute but it was nothing more than a consolation.

Army XI had beaten Sporting Clube de Goa in the final two years ago and coach Peter Vales’ side would be happy not to slip on this banana peel and prepare for bigger battles.

Sporting took an early lead when Nigerian Olushola Ogundare headed home a cross from the right in the eighth minute beating keeper Robikanta Singh. Army put up a better display in the second period, but it was a defensive mistake that effectively sealed their fate.

A faulty clearance inside the Army penalty area gifted the ball to Ogundare, who found Fernandes with a cut back. The wily midfielder set himself up and took his time before finding the bottom corner. The soldiers got a consoltaion goal from virtually the last kick of the match. Sporting custodian Luis Barreto dropped an innocuous looking ball inside the penalty area and the chance fell to Ramachandran, who made no mistake.

Mahindra win
Mahindra United also entered the quarterfinals after beating Border Security Force by a solitary goal in the other match of the day.  Ghanaian Yusif Yakubu scored the winner for the Jeepmen.