33rd Federation Cup: Lajong & East Bengal qualify for semifinals

The Group A and C of the 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) ended today with the third and last round of quarterfinal league matches. It did have its tension as Shillong Lajong FC sneaked through at the last moment, while East Bengal Club will continue to have a chance to defend their title.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group A - Pune
Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 Royal Wahingdoh SC
Goals: 1-0 John D. Menyongar (43')
It was the first Shillong derby between Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh SC at the national level. It ended with a win for Lajong FC and their qualification for the semifinals, but only after the second game was over then a Churchill Brothers win would have mean the Goans could have reached the semifinals. Both Lajong and Royal Wahingdoh finished on six points, but on head-to-head Lajong went through. Lajong were the better of the two sides and went ahead through a John D. Menyongar in the 43rd minute. After the break Lajong striker Iyikwobe Christopher Chizoba missed a penalty and towards the end that could have proved costly as Royal Wahingdoh did have some chances to equalise.

Group A - Pune
Mohun Bagan AC 2-2 Churchill Brothers SC
Goals: 0-1,2-2 Henry Antchouet (23' pen; 59'), 1-1 Jose Ramirez Barreto (41'), 1-2 Sunil Chhetri (44')
Churchill Brothers SC were held to a 2-2 draw by Mohun Bagan AC losing their chance of progressing to the semifinals as both the teams bowed out of the tournament. A big surprise then the two bigwigs of Indian football were the favourites to go through and this match was supposed to be a real highlight. It did turn out to be then Mohun Bagan gave the Goans a real game. After a foul against Bineesh Balan in the box, Henry Antchouet gave Churchill Brothers a 23rd minute lead through a penalty. But Mohun Bagan turned things around, first Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto headed in a Jewel Raja cross in the 41st minute and only three minutes later Sunil Chhetri scored of a solid shot to give the green-and-maroon a 2-1 half-time head. It was once more Henry Antchouet who equalised for Churchill Brothers in the 59th minute and his side went all out in search for a third goal but it wouldn't come as the match ended in a draw.

Group C - Kolkata
East Bengal Club 1-0 Dempo SC
Goals: 1-0 Robin Singh (68')
Defending champions East Bengal Club qualified for the semifinals with a lone goal victory against Dempo SC to top Group C with seven points from three matches, while Dempo finished third with only three points to their name. It was clear from the start that both teams knew that only a win would keep them in contention for a place in the semifinals and it was an entertaining game of football. But it was the red-and-gold who scored the only goal of the match came in the 68th minute through striker Robin Singh off a pass from Tolgay Ozbey. Dempo did have chances to equalise, but it stayed 1-0 until the end.

Group C - Kolkata
Pune FC 0-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club
Goals: none
In an inconsequential match qualifiers Mohammedan Sporting Club held Pune FC to a goalless draw in the final Group C clash at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. Both teams had their chances in the game, but as they weren't able to score the match ended goalless. Pune FC finish second in the table with four points from three matches, while Mohammedan Sporting finished bottom of the group with only two points.