34th Federation Cup - Day 4: Goan clubs strong, but Kolkata clubs disappoint
The 34th edition of the Federation Cup entered match day two for the Groups B and D today, but the final decision on who will progress from their respective group will happen on the final match day. It was a successful day for Goan clubs – Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar SC – as both won, but a disastrous one for Kolkata clubs as Mohun Bagan AC and Prayag United SC were eliminated and Mohammedan Sporting were trashed.
Group B
Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-5 Churchill Brothers SC – Goals: 0-1,1-4 Akram Moghrabi (13′,40′), 0-2 T. Bineesh Balan (27′), 0-3 Robero Mendes Silva (33′), 1-3
Churchill Brothers SC took apart Mohammedan Sporting Club 5-1 at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri today to move into top spot in Group B though Mohammedan Sporting remain with a chance to qualify for the semifinals.
Lebanese striker Akram Moghrabi gave Churchill Brothers a 13rd minute off a pass from countryman Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin. Thereafter youngster T. Bineesh Balan doubled the lead in the 27th minute and Brazilian Robero Mendes Silva made it 3-0 in only the 33rd minute. But Mohammedan Sporting hit back in the 38th minute through a David Sunday goal, but only a couple of minutes later Akram Moghrabi killed the hopes of a comeback from the Kolkata side.
Churchill Brothers continued to control the match in the second session, but only substitute Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot would add his name to the scoresheet with two minutes to go.
Mohun Bagan AC 0-2 Air India – Goals: 0-1 Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (28′), 0-2 Ezeh Nna Henry (86′)
Record champions Mohun Bagan AC are out of the 34th Federation Cup after suffering a 0-2 loss against Air India at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, while the Airmen from Mumbai still have a chance to progress to the semifinals.
The match seemed to be going in Mohun Bagan’s favour as Air India defender John Charles Dias was send-off in the 11th minute, but the Kolkata side could not score of their chances. At the other end striker Elijah Obagbemiro Junior gave Air India a 28th minute lead as his shot went in off a deflection of Anyichie Echezona Celestine.
Mohun Bagan put pressure on Air India, but they absorbed the ever growing pressure and scored the decider in their favour in the 86th minute through Ezeh Nna Henry to inflict a killer blow on their ex-coach Santosh Kashyap and his team.
Group D
Prayag United SC 1-1 Pune FC – Goals: 1-0 Carlos Hernández Valverde (13′), 1-1 Izumi Arata (62′)
Kolkata side Prayag United SC are out of the tournament after the group stage as they were held to a one-all draw by Pune FC in their second Group D match at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. Meanwhile Pune FC have a chance to reach the semifinals, but they would have to beat Salgaocar FC in their last group match.
As expected both sides had their problems with the turf, still they tried to play their game. After early chances on both sides Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernández Valverde gave Prayag United a 13th minute lead, but Pune FC hit back as Izumi Arata equalised in the 62nd minute. It stayed this way until the end.
United Sikkim FC 0-3 Salgaocar FC – Goals: 0-1 Ángel Guirado Aldeguer (2′), 0-2 Nicolau Colaco (81′), 0-3 Anthony D’Souza (85′)
Defending champions Salgaocar FC moved a step closer to qualify for the semifinals as they beat newcomers United Sikkim FC 3-0 in their second Group D match at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur. With their second win Salgaocar’s are now on six points, while United Sikkim FC is out with no points so far.
Salgaocar made the perfect start as Spanish-Filipino striker Ángel Guirado Aldeguer headed his side ahead in the 2nd minute. But Salgaocar had to wait a while to seal the match as Nicolau Colaco doubled the lead in the 81st minute and only four minutes later Anthony D’Souza made it 3-0.