KOLKATA: Delhi stormed into the pre-quarters of the 64th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy with a resounding 3-1 victory against Madhya Pradesh in their last group league match played on Sunday.

Uttar Pradesh 7-2 thumping win over minnows Arunachal Pradesh was however not enough to see them into the pre-quarterfinals as they finished second in the Cluster V with six points, three points behind group toppers Delhi.

Delhi continued their fine run and opened their accounts in the 4th minute through David Ngaispe but failed to hold their one goal advantage and conceded the equaliser in the 17th minute, when MP striker Javed Manihar netted in with ease.

After the break it was Delhi all over the park and went ahead once again in the 55th minute with former HAL and New Delhi midfielder, Bhuvan Joshi finding the back of the net, while Vikash Rawat sealed the match for the Ravi Rana coached side in the 90th minute.

Delhi will now take on Chhattisgarh in the third pre-quarterfinal on July 27. Chhattisgarh after edging past Sikkim in the first encounter escalated their good run and drubbed Haryana 5-1 to move into the pre-quarterfinals.

Wasim Raza gave a perfect start to Chhattisgarh’s proceedings in the 3rd minute, while Kulwant Singh extended his side lead after the break in the 61st minute. Chhattisgarh then, took the game away from their opponent reach, when Yugal Kishore Purti netted in the third goal, while Daniela Paupu score a fine brace towards the end of the match before Raghav Khurana pulled one back for Haryana.