Substitutes stole the show as Army XI defeated Assam Rifles 2-0 in their pre-quarter-final league match of the 121st Osian’s Durand Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday. With this win, Army have six points from two matches and are assured of a quarter-final spot.

After their main strikers Ramachandran and S Relleng squandered as many as six chances, Army coach Raghvender Singh brought in Thirunavakarsu (39th minute) and Ngurenilal (52nd minute) and both justified the decision.

The Army team drew the first blood in the 59th minute when Ngurenilal’s cross from the right flank found Thirunavakarsu unmarked at the far post, and a gentle touch gave his team a 1-0 lead. In the 69th minute, Ngurenilal scored off a free kick to seal the game.

Earlier, Nagen struck four times (5th, 25th, 72nd, 77th minutes) while Manish Khatri (50 th) and Itaue (56th) scored once each to guide Osain’s New Delhi Heroes to a 6-1 win over ASC Centre, Bangalore. Nitesh Bariely (26th minute) scored the only goal for the losers.