33rd Federation Cup: Salgaocar & Prayag Utd qualify for semifinals

The Group B and D of the 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) ended today with the third and last round of quarterfinal league matches. In both groups the favourites moved on, in Group B Salgaocar beat the Pailan Arrows youngsters, while Prayag United SC beat Sporting Clube de Goa. The semifinal line-up is now complete and the matches will take place on Sunday, September 25 and Monday, September 26. The first semifinal is between Shillong Lajong FC and Salgaocar SC, while the second semifinal will see East Bengal Club taking on local rivals Prayag United SC.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group B - Pune
Pailan Arrows 0-3 Salgaocar SC
Goals: 0-1 Chidi Edeh (3'), 0-2 Gilbert Oliveira (49'), 0-3 Balwant Singh (90')
I-League champions Salgaocar SC won 3-0 against the youngsters from the Pailan Arrows to move into the semifinals from Group B. The Goans took an early 3rd minute lead through a Chidi Edeh strike, while Gilbert Oliveira doubled the lead four minutes into the second half and Balwant Singh scored the 3-0 at the fag end of the game. The Arrows did have their chances in the game with the best chance falling to C.S. Sabeeth on the stroke of half-time.

Group B - Pune
Mumbai FC 2-1 HAL
Goals: 0-1 Sargolsem James Singh (41' pen), 1-1,2-1 Ebi Theophilus Sukore (79',89')
Mumbai FC needed two late goals from striker Ebi Theophilus Sukore to win 2-1 against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC in an inconsequential match of Group B. The Airmen from Bangalore took a 41st minute lead through a Sargolsem James Singh penalty, but Mumbai FC turned things around in the second session with a double strike from their African striker Ebi Theophilus Sukore in the 79th and 89th minute to finish third in Group B, while HAL finished last.

Group D - Kolkata
Prayag United SC 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Goals: 1-0 Denson Devadas (5'), 2-0 Josimar da Silva Martins (83'), 2-1 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (88' pen)
Prayag United SC beat Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 to qualify for the semifinals of the 33rd Federation Cup. The Kolkata side needed a win to top Group D and move into the semifinals of the Fed Cup for the first-time and they succeeded against Sporting Clube. Prayag United took an early 5th minute lead through a 5th minute Denson Devadas strike, but thereafter they simply could score though they completely dominated their opponents in the first session. The game before more open after the break but it was Brazilian Josimar da Silva Martins who doubled Prayag United's lead in the 83rd minute. Sporting Clube could only reduce the deficit in the 88th minute through a Ogba Kalu Nnanna penalty.

Group D - Kolkata
Air India 3-2 Chirag United Kerala
Goals: 1-0 Soccor Velho (11'), 2-0 Takayuki Omi (31'), 2-1 Michael Matricciani (40'), 3-1 Ezeh Nna Henry (53'), 3-2 Manoj T.M. (80')
Air India beat Chirag United Kerala 3-2 in another inconsequential quarterfinal league group match. The Airmen ensured their third place with four points, while the Kerala side finished bottom of their group without a point. Air India went ahead through a Soccor Velho strike in the 11th minute which their new Japanese recruit Takayuki Omi doubled in the 31st minute, but Chirag United Kerala's Australian recruit Michael Matricciani reduced the deficit in the 40th minute. After the break Nigerian Ezeh Nna Henry made it 3-1 for Air India in the 53rd minute and Chirag United Kerala could only reduce the deficit in the 80th minute through a Manoj T.M. strike.