33rd Federation Cup: Shillong clubs score upset wins

The 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) continues to throw-up surprises. The story of the day is that the two favourites in Group A - Mohun Bagan AC and Churchill Brothers SC - were beaten by two teams from Shillong; while in Group C defending champions East Bengal Club moved to the top of the table, but they along with Pune FC and Dempo SC still have chances to move into the semifinals. For record champions Mohun Bagan the tournament will be over on Wednesday after their final group game against Churchill Brothers.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group A - Pune
Royal Wahingdoh FC 2-1 Churchill Brothers SC
Goals: 1-0 Seityasen Singh (29'), 2-0 Jackie Chand Singh (53'), 2-1 Henry Antchouet (72', pen)
Debutants Royal Wahingdoh FC scored another shock win, this time around a 2-1 win against Churchill Brothers SC in Group A of the ongoing 33rd Federation Cup. Churchill Brothers put a lot of pressure on the Royals but against the run of play they conceded when Seityasen Singh scored in the 29th minute and after the break Jackie Chand Singh made matters worse when he gave Royal Wahingdoh a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Churchill Brothers reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute through a Henry Antchouet penalty. Thereafter there was chaos as Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva was send-off following a free for all between both sides with referee Amjad Khan losing control of proceedings and allowing 15 times of injury time, most likely a new record in Indian football.

Group A - Pune
Shillong Lajong FC 3-1 Mohun Bagan AC
Goals: 1-0 P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima (45'), 1-1 Odafe Onyeka Okolie (58'), 2-1 John D. Menyongar (74'), 3-1 James Giblee (81')
Shillong Lajong FC scored a 3-1 upset win against Mohun Bagan AC in Group A, but the Kolkata giants had already been eliminated before they played their second match with Royal Wahingdoh having won their early kick-off game. Lajong simply was quicker then their more famed Mohun Bagan rivals and they Kolkata giants once more had their problems with the 3-5-2 system applied by coach Steve Darby. Lajong went ahead in the 45th minute through a P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima goal, which Odafe Onyeka Okolie equalised in the 58th minute; but Mohun Bagan's hopes for a win were dashed when Liberian John D. Menyongar in the 74th minute and Nigerian James Giblee in the 81st minute gave Lajong a clear 3-1 lead, which stayed this way until the end.

Group C - Kolkata
Pune FC 1-2 East Bengal Club
Goals: 0-1 Alan Gow (42'), 1-1 Jeje Lalpekhlua (55'), 1-2 Robin Singh (82')
Defending champions East Bengal Club scored a vital 2-1 win against Pune FC to go top of Group C in Kolkata. East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan made six changes to his starting line-up as he wanted to infuse something different into his team today and it worked. But initially PFC keeper Subrata Pal was in the way of the red-and-gold as the India no.1 had another great game until he clashed with an East Bengal player and had to be replaced with young Amrinder Singh. It was new Scottish recruit Alan Gow who gave the local side the lead three minutes before the break, but in the 55th minute talented Jeje Lalpekhlua equalised for Pune. Thereafter East Bengal went out in search for the winner and it came in the 82nd minute when Robin Singh scored. It remained 2-1 for East Bengal until the end.

Group C - Kolkata
Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-3 Dempo SC
Goals: 0-1 Ranty Martins Soleye (2'), 0-2 Clifford Miranda (25'), 0-3 Koko Sakibo (35'), 1-3 Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe (66')
Dempo SC kept their chances alive to progress from Group C with a 3-1 win against Mohammedan Sporting Club in Kolkata. The Goans were on fire in the first session as they scored all their three goals before the break. Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with winger Clifford Miranda doubling the lead in the 25th minute before Koko Sakibo made it 3-0 in the 35th minute. Mohammedan Sporting were only able to reduce the deficit through Cyprian Stanley Okoroigwe in the 66th minute.