Semifinalists spotted in IFA Shield football

Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, Mumbai outfit Mahindra United, Goan side Churchill Brothers and South Africa's Santos football club as the lone foreign team has been able to make the grade for the semi finals of the 113th IFA shield football tournament.

In the crucial group ‘A’ quarter-final outings on Monday, Mohun Bagan defeated Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting 3-1, while Churchill blanked local side Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 to move into the last four.

In the only group ‘B’ encounter, East Bengal, who was in a must-win situation that too with a three-goal margin, could only able to hold formidable Santos 1-1, which wasn’t enough for the local favourites to make it to the last-four.

Churchill topped the group with seven points, while Bagan stood at second spot with one point adrift. Bagan would take on group B winners Santos while Churchill will lock horns with Group B runners up Mahindra United in their respective semifinal contests being played on March 5.

Santos, who started off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Mahindra, finished up their quarter-final engagements with four points, Mahindra earned three points, while East Bengal finished last with only one point.

South Africa’s Santos FC got into lead as early in the seventh minute of the game through Gregory Michael Roelf’s accurate header after connecting to a fine cross from overlapping right back Cliffton Davids.

East Bengal, who improved their game to a great extent as compared to their previous outings bounced back and drew level six minutes later after Brazilian Edmilson converted the spot-kick. Referee A Arjunan awarded penalty to the local outfit after opponent’s goalkeeper Eduan Andre Naude brought down Ghanaian Abeeku Gaisie inside the box.

Meanwhile at Barasat stadium, Churchill romped home with two second-half goals scored by Ogba Kalu (60th minute) and Jaison Valses (82nd) in a one-sided tie.

In another match, Mohun Bagan edged past Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting with a 3-1 margin riding on skipper Bhaichung Bhutia’s brilliant brace. Ishfaq Ahmed slotted one more before Enamul Haq Farid scored the lone consolation goal for the foreign side.