34th Federation Cup: East Bengal vs Churchill Bros in first semifinal

The 34th Federation Cup has reached the semifinal stage with Group B winners Churchill Brothers SC taking on Group C toppers East Bengal Club in the first semifinal at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri tomorrow evening.

East Bengal, who had their problems in the group stage, will hope to find their form shown in the Calcutta Premier League earlier against a clinical Churchill Brothers who have impressed in their three group matches.

It will be the third time in the history of the tournament that Churchill Brothers SC and East Bengal Club will meet in the semifinals. On both the earlier occasions in 1998 and 2010 the red-and-gold had won 1-0 to reach the finals.

Looking at its scrappy showing in the group league stage, East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan termed his side the underdog when he was quizzed about his side's chances against the Goans. "Their players especially Beto (Roberto Mendes Silva) and Akram (Moghrabi) are in excellent form and we really have to find a way to restrict them," Morgan said.

East Bengal, which scored seven and conceded five while making to the semifinals, will have its task cut out against Churchill Brothers' fluency. The East Bengal coach hoped his team will overcome the deficiencies and come out with a better showing against Churchill Brothers to again reach the finals.

Churchill Brothers' technical director Subhas Bhowmick, who had numerous successful years as East Bengal coach, was cautious in his assertion. "East Bengal is a strong side and it needs a disciplined performance to beat them," Bhowmick said. "I hope my boys will come up to the challenge," he added.

Subhas Bhowmick definitely underplayed the great current form his team – having the likes of Gabonese Henry Antchouet, Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva and Lebanese Akram Moghrabi – showed in the group stage with an impressive 9-1 goals.

The match will kick-off at 6.30 pm and will be shown live on television on DD Sports.