124th Durand Cup: Pune FC & Churchill Bros reach semifinals

The last couple of teams have qualified for the semifinals of the 124th edition of the Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament. They are Pune FC and former champions Churchill Brothers SC who have won their respective Groups 3 and 4.

Pune FC qualified for their first-ever Durand Cup semifinal from Group 3 after a 2-1 win against state rivals Air India from Mumbai. Former PFC striker Sandesh Gadkare gave the Airmen a first half lead, but goals from Paresh Shivalkar and Rollingson Hungyo turned things around as Pune FC needed the three points to leap-frog past Air India; then in their opening match a second string PFC had only drawn ONGC 1-1, while Air India had won 3-0 against the Oilmen.

In Group 4 former champions Churchill Brothers maintained their 100% record with a 2-0 win against another former champion in Mohammedan Sporting Club. Though the Goans took an early lead through a Roberto Mendes Silva penalty, it was Mohammedan Sporting who worked hard to get onto the scoresheet; but in the end it was junior international Lalrindika Ralte who sealed the game for Churchill Brothers. In earlier matches Mohammedan Sporting had won 1-0 against Army Red, while Churchill Brothers trashed them 5-0.

Yesterday Prayag United SC and Shillong Lajong FC had qualified for the semifinals. There Prayag United SC take on Pune FC on October 12, while on October 13 Shillong Lajong FC face Churchill Brothers SC.


STATS from GROUPS 1 & 2

Quarterfinal League

Group 3
Pune FC, Air India, ONGC

05-Oct-2011: Pune FC 1-1 ONGC
08-Oct-2011: ONGC 0-3 Air India
10-Oct-2011: Pune FC 2-1 Air India

Group 4
Mohammedan Sporting Club, Churchill Brothers SC, Army Red

05-Oct-2011: Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0 Army Red
08-Oct-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 5-0 Army Red
10-Oct-2011: Mohammedan Sporting Club 0-2 Churchill Brothers SC