33rd Federation Cup: Semifinals an open affair

The semifinals of the 33rd Federation Cup will be played in the next couple of days with surprise entrants Shillong Lajong FC taking on I-League champions Salgaocar SC on Sunday, while in a Kolkata derby defending champions East Bengal Club face a tough Prayag United SC on Monday.

The first semifinal will see Shillong Lajong FC take on Salgaocar SC. It isn't a league match, a one-off Fed Cup semifinal so the chances of the two teams progressing are the same though many will see I-League champions as the favourites against the promoted Northeastern side. Salgaocar's foreigners Ryuji Sueoka and Chidi Edeh are the players who could make the difference, but same can be said about Lajong's John D. Menyongar and James Giblee.

An interesting match looks on the cards with both the clubs coming through the group stage. Lajong just about sneaked through in Group A ahead of city rivals Royal Wahingdoh SC and pre-tournament group favourites Mohun Bagan AC and Churchill Brothers SC. And they will look to repeat history from two years back when they reached the finals in their first year in the I-League.

Lajong FC's coach Pradhyum Reddy said, "We are here to play and we do not categorise teams as a big team or a smaller one. It would be very interesting to see where we stand."

Salgaocar were the favourites in Group B but after an opening day draw against Mumbai FC they needed wins against HAL and the Pailan Arrows to keep their title challenge on track. The team has found its form and the new recruits have added depth to Karim Bencharifa's squad. But the three time champions haven't reached the Fed Cup finals since their last triumph in 1997.

On Monday then it is Kolkata derby time when East Bengal hope to reach their third final in a row and try to win their fourth Federation Cup title in five years. But before that they will have to face Prayag United SC, who have cleverly strengthened their team for the season ahead with the Durand Cup champions wanting to reach their first Fed Cup final.

East Bengal got through Group C unbeaten, the Group of Death by finishing ahead of Pune FC, Dempo SC and Mohammedan Sporting Club. And the red-and-gold look even stronger then last season with Trevor Morgan having at least two options in every position which is good for internal team competition, but the team could miss a number of regulars due to injury and niggles. Key midfielder Mehtab Hossain looks unlikely for the tie while Raju Gaikwad, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Alan Gow and Tolgay Ozbey are doubtful.

For Prayag United SC winning their Group D has qualified them for the first-time to the Federation Cup semifinals. And now Sanjoy Sen's team wants more. They have experience in their side and a striker in Josimar who has been amongst the goals, but East Bengal are a different calibre which the Men in Purple can certain handle.

Both the semifinals will kick-off at 18.00 IST at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. DD Sports along with News Time Bangla and News Time Assam will be broadcasting the matches live.