33rd Federation Cup: Salgaocar back on track, Arrows & SCG also win

The 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) is entering a crucial phase with all teams now having played two matches in the quarterfinal group stage. Groups B and D stayed their second games and it leaves chances to two sides each, who play each other in the final game. It is Salgaocar SC vs Pailan Arrows in Group B and Prayag United SC vs Sporting Clube de Goa in Group D. Decision day in both groups will be on Thursday.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group B - Pune
HAL 0-4 Salgaocar SC
Goals: 0-1 Ryuji Sueoka (26'), 0-2 Rocus Lamare (29'), 0-3 Chidi Edeh (32'), 0-4 Luciano Sabrosa (52')
I-League champions Salgaocar SC hammered HAL SC 4-0 in their second Fed Cup match to keep their chances alive of progressing to the semifinals. The Goans put pressure on the Bangalore side from the start, but they survived for the first 25 minutes. Once the floodgates open Salgaocar scored three quick goals in six minutes. Striker Chidi Edeh was brought down in the box with Ryuji Sueoka scoring from the resultant penalty. Only three minutes later midfielder Rocus Lamare made it 2-0 before Chidi Edeh headed in Salgaocar's third in the 32nd minute. Seven minutes into the second session Brazilian defender Luciano Sabrosa made it 4-0 and it stayed that way until the end.

Group B - Pune
Mumbai FC 1-2 Pailan Arrows
Goals: 0-1 Jibon Singh (8'), 0-2 C.S. Sabeeth (53'), 1-2 Pachau Lalam Puia (79')
The youngsters from Pailan Arrows stay at the top of Group B with a 2-1 victory against Mumbai FC in Pune. The Arrows went ahead in the 8th minute through a fierce shot from Jibon Singh, which MFC defender Kingsley Choma deflected into his own goal. It was again Jibon who set-up C.S. Sabeeth for the Arrows second goal of the night in the 53rd minute. Mumbai FC were only able to reduce the deficit through a 79th minute goal from striker Pachau Lalam Puia. The Arrows won and now face Salgaocar in the group decider.

Group D - Kolkata
Air India 0-0 Prayag United SC
Goals: none
Air India held local side Prayag United SC to a goalless draw in their Group D match at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata, which means that Prayag United will need to win their final game against Sporting Clube de Goa to move into the semifinals, while for Air India the quarterfinal league will be the end of the journey. Prayag United had more from the game overall, especially in the first session but couldn't score of their chances while the Airmen could have scored an upset after the break.

Group D - Kolkata
Chirag United Kerala 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Goals: 0-1 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (86')
Sporting Clube de Goa needed a late goal from their Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu Nnanna to overcome a fighting Chirag United Kerala to go top of Group D with an all win record, while Chirag United Kerala are now out of the competition. Ogba Kalu Nnanna scored the winner for the Flaming Orange in the 86th minute of the game.