33rd Federation Cup: A look back at the tournament

The 33rd edition of the Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) was held from September 17 to 29 in Kolkata and Pune. Salgaocar emerged as champions yesterday by beating twice defending champions East Bengal Club 3-1 at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata.

The Federation Cup is India's premier national knockout tournament, but this years competition will surely not be remembered as one of the best. The timing will have been a major issues for most clubs as it came as sort of pre-season tournament and some teams looked under-prepared.

The most of all preliminary groups was Group A were the Shillong sides Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh SC upset their more famed rivals in record champions Mohun Bagan AC and Goan giants Churchill Brothers SC. Otherwise the group stage went mainly as per plans as the favourites won the three other groups.

Salgaocar SC were deserving champions as they were the most consistent of the participating clubs with especially their defence being rock solid and conceding only one goal throughout the tournament, a penalty in the final against East Bengal.

Salgaocar's Chidi Edeh and Henry Antchouet from Churchill Brothers SC top-scored in this edition of the Fed Cup with four goals a piece.


RESULTS

Group A - Pune:
Mohun Bagan AC, Churchill Brothers SC, Shillong Lajong FC, Royal Wahingdoh SC (qualifier)

17-Sep-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 1-2 Royal Wahingdoh SC
17-Sep-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 3-1 Shillong Lajong FC
19-Sep-2011: Royal Wahingdoh SC 2-1 Churchill Brothers SC
19-Sep-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 3-1 Mohun Bagan AC
21-Sep-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 Royal Wahingdoh SC
21-Sep-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-2 Churchill Brothers SC


Group B - Pune:
Pailan Arrows, Salgaocar SC, Mumbai FC, HAL

18-Sep-2011: Salgaocar SC 0-0 Mumbai FC
18-Sep-2011: Pailan Arrows 1-0 HAL
20-Sep-2011: HAL 0-4 Salgaocar SC
20-Sep-2011: Mumbai FC 1-2 Pailan Arrows
22-Sep-2011: Mumbai FC 2-1 HAL
22-Sep-2011: Pailan Arrows 0-3 Salgaocar SC


Group C - Kolkata:
East Bengal Club, Dempo SC, Pune FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club (qualifier)

17-Sep-2011: Dempo SC 1-2 Pune FC
17-Sep-2011: East Bengal Club 1-1 Mohammedan Sporting Club
19-Sep-2011: Pune FC 1-2 East Bengal Club
19-Sep-2011: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-3 Dempo SC
21-Sep-2011: East Bengal Club 1-0 Dempo SC
21-Sep-2011: Pune FC 0-0 Mohammedan Sporting Club


Group D - Kolkata:
Prayag United SC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Air India, Chirag United Kerala

18-Sep-2011: Prayag United SC 1-0 Chirag United Kerala
18-Sep-2011: Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 Air India
20-Sep-2011: Air India 0-0 Prayag United SC
20-Sep-2011: Chirag United Kerala 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
22-Sep-2011: Prayag United SC 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
22-Sep-2011: Air India 3-2 Chirag United Kerala

Semifinals - Kolkata

25-Sep-2011: Shillong Lajong FC 0-1 Salgaocar SC
26-Sep-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 Prayag United SC

Final - Kolkata

29-Sep-2011: Salgaocar SC 3-1 East Bengal Club