Federation Cup 2014 Semi-finals Preview: Rejuvenated Mohun Bagan stands alone against Goa

Only 13-time winners Mohun Bagan can prevent the 35th Federation Cup final from being an all-Goan affair and also give themselves a great chance of finally ending their near four-year trophy drought. Dempo lost the final in the last edition in 2012 and have won it once back in 2004 but the other two Goan clubs have never lifted this trophy with Churchill Brothers not even reaching the final in the past while Sporting Clube finished runners-up in 2005 and 2006. History certainly favours the competition’s most successful club, Mohun Bagan, but each of the three Goan clubs will also believe that they can win this edition of India’s FA Cup and qualify for the 2015 AFC Cup.

Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan (16:30; LIVE on Ten Action)

Churchill Brothers were the only team to have a 100% record in the group stage as they put behind their difficulties in the I-League and produced three solid team performances with Egyptian Abedlhamid Shabana being inspirational. Each of the three wins were narrow ones so some of the problems that has seen them struggle in the I-League were evident in the Federation Cup also but coach Mariano Dias must be given credit to get the best out of a team that isn’t strongest on paper as they performed well despite not having a foreign defender.

Mohun Bagan have also been poor in the I-League but ever since their win over East Bengal earlier this month, which was their first derby success in two years, the squad looks to be rejuvenated as they qualified from a tough group easily with the 6-0 thumping of Shillong Lajong being the highlight. Strikers Odafa Okolie and Christopher Chizoba have scored three each but the standout player has been Katsumi Yusa as the Japanese has bagged three assists and looked unplayable at times.

The teams played out a goalless draw in the I-League meeting back in September and it could be another tight and cagey affair this time also. But the mood in both camps is much better than it was four months ago with Churchill finally seem to have found a talisman in Shabana while India international Lenny Rodrigues, striker Balwant Singh and Trinidad & Tobago’s Anthony Wolfe also making vital contributions in the group stage. However Mohun Bagan look a more complete team as their young backline has been faring well while the foreign attacking trio of Yusa, Odafa and Chizoba on current form can cause problems to any I-League defence.

The major difference between the sides is that Churchill Brothers only have two foreigners compared to Mohun Bagan’s four and that does make the Mariners slight favourites. It’s fair to say that the Goan outfit have overachieved by reaching the semis but they would still aim to capitalise on the fact that all the pressure will be on the Kolkata club. The green-and-maroon brigade have lacked a winning mentality in recent years but two-time Federation Cup winning coach Karim Bencherifa is determined to bring the glory days back and looks to have instilled the same attitude among the players as well.

Key Battle: Lenny Rodrigues – Katsumi Yusa

Yusa has flourished by operating behind strikers Chizoba and Odafa and is expected to start there again in the semi-final. Lenny will have to keep a close eye on the Japanese and also get his passing right so that Mohun Bagan don’t enjoy much possession in the Churchill half. Whoever has the bigger influence will end up on the winning side.

Sporting Clube vs Dempo (19:30; LIVE on Ten Action)

This all-Goan semi-final is a battle between two of the youngest squads in the tournament but they had contrasting routes to the last four. Group D winners Dempo only qualified via goal difference as they finished level on points with Mohammedan Sporting so the fact is that they are in the semis despite only beating a couple of second division teams in Bhowanipore and United Sikkim. But Arthur Papas’ side did show great character to come from behind in the opener against Bhowanipore and then in the group decider, they got the clean sheet against Mohammedan Sporting after some resolute defending. Dempo have struggled for goals in the I-League but the signing of two-time Federation Cup winner Tolgay Ozbey has given quality to their attack with the Australian bagging a brace on his debut against United Sikkim.

On the other hand, Sporting Clube progressed from the group of death despite losing the opening game 5-3 against Bengaluru. Flaming Oranje bounced back by becoming the first team to beat East Bengal in this competition since 2011 but their fate wasn’t in their own hands going into the final group game against Rangdajied. They won 2-0 and then East Bengal’s 2-0 success over Bengaluru saw them reach the semis for the first time since 2006. Foreigners Ogba Kalu Nnanna and Boima Karpeh have been immense going forward but India international Victorino Fernandes has been their show-stopper as he scored in each of three group games.

Sporting Clube won the I-League meeting 1-0 in December and they will come into this semi as favourites because unlike Dempo they have been playing well throughout this season. A proof of that is the fact that Oscar Bruzon’s side have 11 more points than Dempo in the I-League and placed eight spots higher. Sporting Clube have also been tested more in the Federation Cup but Dempo would relish being the underdogs and besides Tolgay have a few other formers winners of this competition like Sanju Pradhan, Clifford Miranda and Subhashish Roychowdhury.

So the Sporting Clube squad possibly have the disadvantage of not being used to such big games but in terms of personnel there is not much to choose between the sides and the game will be decided by very small details like a piece of individual brilliance or a moment of madness.

Key Battle: Boima Karpeh – Simon Colosimo

Colosimo came up with a strong performance against Mohammedan’s Josimar although he did benefit from the presence of his new central defensive partner Zohib Islam Amiri. The Australian will have to be at his best against Karpeh also as the Sporting Clube striker has been a key figure for Bruzon’s side with his physical presence and ability to bring others into play being a nuisance to opposition defences.