VIDEO: East Bengal vs Prayag United highlights

Here are the XtraTime match highlights from yesterday's East Bengal Club vs Prayag United SC group match in the 117th IFA Shield at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri.

117th IFA Shield: East Bengal first team in semifinals

Kolkata giants and record champions East Bengal Club are the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the 117th edition of the 'NVD' IFA Shield after their third win in as many matches.

After their 2-0 victory against Prayag United SC at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri on Friday afternoon, the red-and-gold have finished with nine points from three matches in Group A which means that they will finish top of the group and surely qualify for the semifinals, while Prayag United, ONGC and the Pailan Arrows fight it out for the other spot.

In their opening game East Bengal had won 1-0 against the Pailan Arrows and then followed it up with a 2-1 win against ONGC.

But due to their AFC Cup match on March 13 against Sai Gon Xuan Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City, East Bengal had to rush through their IFA Shield commitments and their semifinals will only be played once they return from Vietnam.

117th IFA Shield: ONGC replace Muktijoddha Sangsad KC

I-League side ONGC have come in as a replacement for Bangladesh side Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in Group A of the 117th 'NVD' IFA Shield which is being played from March 3 to 19 in Kolkata and Siliguri.

In Group A, which is being played in Siliguri, East Bengal Club take on ONGC, Prayag United SC and Pailan Arrows; while in Group B Mohun Bagan AC, Pune FC, Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica and United Sikkim FC face each other in Kalyani and the Saltlake Stadium.

The tournament winner would receive Rs 2,5 Million (25 lakhs), while the runners-up would get Rs 1,5 Million (15 lakhs) and the losing semifinalists Rs 500,000 (5 lakhs). In individual prizes, the Man of the Match in the group stage would get Rs 5,000 and the Man of the Match in the semifinals and final Rs 10,000. The Player of the Tournament would receive Rs 25,000 and the Best Coach Rahim Saheb Award would get Rs 100,000 (1 lakh).

NewsTime Bangla is the television partner of the 117th IFA Shield and will be showing matches of the tournament live.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Group A - Siliguri
03-Mar-2013: East Bengal Club 1-0 Pailan Arrows (2.30pm)
05-Mar-2013: Prayag United SC - Pailan Arrows (2.30pm)
06-Mar-2013: East Bengal Club - ONGC (2.30pm)
08-Mar-2013: East Bengal Club - Prayag United SC (5.30pm)
09-Mar-2013: Pailan Arrows - ONGC (2.30pm)
11-Mar-2013: Prayag United SC - ONGC (2.30pm)

Group B
05-Mar-2013: Mohun Bagan AC - Pune FC (Kalyani 3.00pm)
07-Mar-2013: Deportivo Saprissa - Pune FC (Saltlake, 3.00pm)
08-Mar-2013: Mohun Bagan AC - United Sikkim FC (Kalyani, 3.00pm)
10-Mar-2013: Mohun Bagan AC - Deportivo Saprissa (Kalyani 3.00pm)
10-Mar-2013: Pune FC - United Sikkim FC (Saltlake, 3.00pm)
12-Mar-2013: Deportivo Saprissa - United Sikkim FC (Saltlake, 3.00pm)

Semifinals
1?-Mar-2013: Winner Group A - Runners-Up Group B
1?-Mar-2013: Winner Group B - Runners-Up Group A

Final
1?-Mar-2013: Winner SF1 - Winner SF2

VIDEOs: East Bengal are Federation Cup champions!

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club are the new champions of the Federation Cup! Here a series of feature stories from XtraTime on East Bengal's title triumph, be it in Siliguri at the ground, at the clubs Maidan tent, the general celebrations and more.

34th Federation Cup: East Bengal are champions!

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club are the new champions of the Federation Cup! In the final tonight East Bengal beat I-League champions Dempo SC 3-2 in extra-time to lift the 34th Federation Cup title at the floodlit Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri.

On the 56th birthday of their coach Trevor James Morgan the red-and-gold won their overall eighth Federation Cup title, their fourth title in only the last six edition of India's version of the FA Cup.

Infront of 35,000 spectators in a well filled Kanchenjunga Stadium, East Bengal had a home match and they dominated from the start but failed to convert the advantage into goals, while Dempo SC were more concerned of no conceding then scoring early on.

But it was the Goans who took a 50th minute lead through former India captain Climax Lawrence's half volley before East Bengal equalised through an Arnab Mondal header off a Mehtab Hossain free-kick on the hour mark. It stayed one-all until the end and this forced the match into extra-time where East Bengal produced their best attacking game to end Dempo's stiff resistance.

East Bengal pressed on the accelerator in extra-time introducing its super-sub Lalrindika Ralte, the hero against Churchill Brothers in the 91st minute. The young wing-half added pace to the team's attack and set off a through-pass for Penn Ikechukwu Orji, but the latter's hesitation inside the Dempo box spoiled the chance. Then Lalrindika fired a powerful grounder in the 99th minute that came off the Dempo goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and striker Manandeep Singh was there to tap-in the rebound to give East Bengal the lead.

Thereafter East Bengal tried to keep the pressure on Dempo and in the 109th minute Nigerian Chidi Edeh made it 3-1 from a solo effort after getting a long ball from Manandeep, but Dempo kept the match alive and reduced the margin off a header from Mahesh Gawli in the 113th minute but its search for the equaliser remained unrealised.

It ended 3-2 for East Bengal and the Federation Cup title was theirs.


MATCH STATS

East Bengal 3-2 (1-1,0-0) Dempo SC [extra-time] - Goals: 0-1 Climax Lawrence (50'), 1-1 Arnab Mondal (60'), 2-1 Manandeep Singh (99'), 3-1 Chidi Edeh (109'), 3-2 Mahesh Gawli (113')

East Bengal Club
1-Abhijit Mondal - 8-Thokchom Naoba Singh, 3-Arnab Mondal, 2-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 29-Soumik Dey - 7-Harmanjot Singh Khabra (91' 21-Lalrindika Ralte), 14-Mehtab Hussain [C], 18-Penn Ikechukwu Orji, 35-Ishfaq Ahmed (80' 15-Sanju Pradhan) - 10-Chidi Edeh (117' 25-Robert Lalthlamuana), 26-Manandeep Singh

Dempo SC
1-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury - 18-Valeriano Rebello, 28-Mahesh Gawli, 4-Creson Antao, 2-Debabrata Roy - 14-Anthony Pereira (96' 25-Romeo Fernandes), 8-Climax Lawrence (7-Godwin Diogo Franco), 6-Peter Carvalho, 15-Clifford Miranda (80' 11-Ryuji Sueoka) - 11-Koko Sakibo, 17-Joaquim Abranches

Referee
Vishnu Chauhan (Gujarat)

34th Federation Cup - Final: Trevor Morgan vs Armando Colaco

The final of the 34th Federation Cup will be a match-up between two of India's most successful clubs in recent years, East Bengal Club and Dempo SC; but not only that it is also a game between to highly successful coaches in Trevor James Morgan and Armando Colaco.

Both coaches are tactically and technically able coaches, who try and bring the best out of their wards. They are known to be player friendly and able communicators, who praised each others work ahead of tonight's final.

For Trevor James Morgan it will be a special final today, then it is his 56th birthday and the Englishman will hope that his team give him a fitting birthday gift in-form of the Federation Cup title, which would be his second after 2010 in Cuttack.

Trevor is known as a no non-sense coach, who had been able to form his team at East Bengal over the last couple of years even against protest from the East Bengal officials. He even resigned towards the end of last season, but the officials realised what they had in their coach and brought Trevor back. By staying on Trevor has achieved something which is sadly rare in Kolkata football and that is a coach having control about players recruitment and his coaching staff.

Further Trevor has worked on his side and players individually to improve his overall squad then his aim is to win as many titles as possible and after the Federation Cup is over, it will be the I-League which has eluded him over the last couple of seasons with his team finishing second on both occasions.

59 year old Armando Colaco is the real father of success at Dempo Sports Club over the last 12 years since he took over the club, initially saving it from being closed down and then making it one of India's top football team.

Armando has build the team from scratch and has over the years strengthened the squad across all positions, now even being able to bring in young talent from the Dempo youth development system.

What makes the Dempo success so special is that Dempo has besides having some of the best foreign talent available in India playing for them like Ranty Martins Soleye, Roberto Mendes Silva, etc; they have focused on their home grown Indian players who have not only played for the club but also the country.

A lot can be expected from these two coaches and their teams tonight, but it is a final and surely it will be tense, if it will be as intense and competitive as we the fans of the beautiful game hope, will have to be seen...

VIDEOs: East Bengal vs Dempo Fed Cup final previews

Tonight East Bengal Club and Dempo SC meet each other in the final of the 34th Federation Cup at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri. Here the previews on both teams by Bengali sports program XtraTime.

34th Federation Cup - Final Preview: East Bengal vs Dempo tonight!

The final of the 34th edition of the Federation Cup will be played tonight between Kolkata's East Bengal Club and Dempo SC of Goa at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri. The match will be between two of India's best club sides in recent years and a lot is expected from such a title clash.

Dempo SC having won the NFL/I-League title five times in the last eight years, while East Bengal often have finished runners-up in the I-League in recent times and two Federation Cup titles are to their name with this being their fourth straight final.

As these two clubs renew the Bengal vs Goa rivalry, East Bengal will have a distinct advantage in the crowd support at the Kanchenjunga Stadium which will root for the red-and-gold as a capacity crowd is expected for the final.

Both the coaches - Trevor James Morgan and Armando Colaco - heaped praise on each other for the "stability" of their respective sides and were almost unanimous in acknowledging that there were no clear favourites in the upcoming duel.

Dempo played with only one foreigner – Nigerian Koko Sakibo – in the semifinal against Salgaocar and is expected to bank on its indigenous talent in the final too though Japanese midfielder Ryuji Sueoka, who is recovering from fever, may make a return to the starting eleven if declared fit. "I don't think football depends on one player. We play as a team and will continue to do so in the final tomorrow," Armando said when asked about the absence of Sueoka.

"We get there and give our best. None of the sides can confidently say it is going to win. If we win we will dedicate the crown to the memory of (Cristiano) Junior," Armando said referring to the on-field death of the Brazilian striker when Dempo won their only Fed Cup title in 2004. "East Bengal cannot be underdog on its home soil. They have a good midfield and so do we. So one can expect creative approach from both the sides," Armando added.

"Right across the midfield Dempo is very creative. We have to raise our game to the level to that level to win," Morgan said after his team's practice. When asked about how he will tackle the suspension of his two regular central defenders – Uga Okpara and Gurwinder Singh – the East Bengal coach said he will find the right replacements with Raju Gaikwad and Arnab Mondal set to take their places though they had their problems in the match against Kalighat Milan Sangha.

The East Bengal coach admitted that his team may have been scrappy in the group league stage but quickly added that the side played really well in the semifinals to beat Churchill Brothers. "Football does not work that way, it is the win that matters. Tomorrow (Sunday) will be a new game and we will approach it accordingly," Morgan said.

The match will kick-off at 6:30 pm and it will be shown live on DD Sports.

34th Federation Cup: Dempo beat rivals Salgaocar to reach finals!

I-League champions Dempo SC won 2-0 against their Goan rivals and defending Fed Cup champions Salgaocar FC in the second semifinal of the 34th Federation Cup at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri to set-up a final showdown with East Bengal Club on Sunday. With Dempo's entry into the final, East Bengal are assured of an AFC Cup place next season.

It was an uneventful first session in which both sides were cautious, they didn't want to risk a mistake and it stayed goalless. Dempo had their best chance through Joaquim Abranches, while Salgaocar through Fulganco Cardozo but on both occasions the ball did not cross the line.

After the break the match opened-up and it was Joaquim Abranches who gave Dempo a 70th minute lead off a pass from substitute Romeo Fernandes. Nigerian striker Koko Sakibo doubled the lead six minutes from time to somewhat seal Dempo's victory and only a couple of minutes later Salgaocar defender Fulganco Cardozo was send-off for a second bookable offence on the night.

It ended 2-0 for Dempo SC and they will meet East Bengal Club in the final of the 34th Federation Cup on Sunday evening at 6.30 pm with the match to be telecast live on DD Sports.


MATCH STATS

Dempo SC 2-0 (0-0) Salgaocar FC - Goals: 1-0 Joaquim Abranches (70'), 2-0 Koko Sakibo (84')

Dempo SC
1-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury - 18-Valeriano Rebello, 28-Mahesh Gawli, 4-Creson Antao, 2-Debabrata Roy - 14-Anthony Pereira, 8-Climax Lawrence, 6-Peter Carvalho, 15-Clifford Miranda (25-Romeo Fernandes) - 11-Koko Sakibo (16-Samir Naik), 17-Joaquim Abranches

Salgaocar FC
Karanjit Singh - 2-Fulganco Cardozo, 20-Luciano Sabrosa, 19-Nicolau Colaco, 23-Rahul Kumar - 30-Francis Fernandes, 26-Randeep Singh (37-Gilbert Oliveira), 17-Quinton Norman Jacobs (9-Ángel Guirado Aldeguer), ??-Anthony D'Souza - 8-Milagres Gonsalves, 29-Sean Daniel Rooney

Referee
Ajit Meitei (Manipur)

34th Federation Cup: East Bengal beat Churchill Bros in extra-time

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club reached their fourth Federation Cup final in a row through an extra-time 1-0 victory against Churchill Brothers SC in the first 34th Federation Cup semifinal at the Kanchenjunga Stadium. Substitute Lalrindika Ralte's superb strike was the only goal of the night infront of a healthy crowd in Siliguri.

East Bengal now await the winner of tomorrow nights second semifinal between Dempo SC and Salgaocar FC in the Federation Cup final on Sunday night.

In the first session the action was mainly confined to the midfield with Sandip Nandy and Abhijit Mondal rarely tested by the opposing teams. Things got a little better after the break but the defenders and midfielders worked in tandem to deny the opponents. A rather uneventful match ended on expected lines goalless after 90 minutes.

In extra-time things didn't get much better until the 110th minute when substitute and former Churchill Brothers winger Lalrindika Ralte volleyed the ball into the nets to seal the victory for the red-and-gold. Only minutes later Churchill Brothers were reduced to 10 men when substitute Israil Gurung brought down another substitute in Sanju Pradhan and received his marching orders. Until the end the Goans didn't get a chance worth an equaliser and in the end East Bengal won the match 1-0.


MATCH STATS

Churchill Brothers SC 0-1 (0-0) East Bengal Club [extra-time] - Goals: 0-1 Lalrindika Ralte (110')

Churchill Brothers SC
21-Sandip Nandy - 12-Denzil Franco, 13-Dharmaraj Ravanan, 4-Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin, 18-Thangjam Saran Singh - 28-Bikramjit Singh, 20-W. Tomba Singh (11?' 16-Amandeep Singh), 24-Lenny Rodrigues, 10-Roberto Mendes Silva [C] - 35-T. Bineesh Balan (68' ??-Israil Gurung), 9-Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot (51' 25-Akram Moghrabi)

East Bengal Club
1-Abhijit Mondal - 8-Thokchom Naoba Singh, 16-Gurwinder Singh, 4-Uga Okpara, 29-Soumik Dey - 7-Harmanjot Singh Khabra (94' 21-Lalrindika Ralte), 14-Mehtab Hussain [C], 18-Penn Ikechukwu Orji, 35-Ishfaq Ahmed (75' 15-Sanju Pradhan) - 10-Chidi Edeh, 26-Manandeep Singh (86' 6-Baljit Singh Sahni)

Referee
M.B. Santosh Kumar (Kerala)

34th Federation Cup: Goan derby Dempo vs Salgaocar in second semifinals

It will be a Goan derby between I-League champions Dempo SC and defending Fed Cup title holders Salgaocar FC in the second semifinal of the 34th Federation Cup at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri.

Both sides have impressed in the group stage, but a Goan semifinal derby is a different affair for these long-time rivals with both coaches Armando Colaco (Dempo SC) and Karim Bencharifa (Salgaocar SC) known for their tactical knowledge and creative play.

Salgaocar go into the semifinals as the defending champions and a better track record in the Federation Cup against their rivals having won the two earlier meetings in Fed Cup semifinals in 1994 and 1997.

"We are no rivals. The best thing about football in Goa is that we share mutual respect. Whether we win or lose we go home happy," Armando Colaco said dispelling the element of bitterness from the impending clash. "There are no clear favourite as both teams have good players who can steer the match any way," Colaco added.

Armando has only one of his foreigners at his disposal – Nigerian forward Koko Sakibo – as Japanese striker Ryuiji Seuoka is injured. "You think Indian football depends on foreigners? I am not against the foreigners, but only those who are good should be given the chance," Colaco said reposing faith on his seasoned home players like Climax Lawrence, Samir Naik, Mahesh Gawli to shoulder the responsibility.

"My side is young and will try to play good football. There no pressure as such," meanwhile Karim Bencherifa said about his Salgaocar side. "For us qualifying to the semifinals has been a great achievement and we hope to carry the form ahead," Karim he added.

When Karim was asked to assess his opponent who are banking on one foreigner the coach said, "They (Dempo) do not need any foreigner as players like Climax (Lawrence) and Sameer (Naik) are as good as any foreign player."

Karim Bencharifa, however, has a full house of foreigners at his disposal - Sean Daniel Rooney (Australia), Ángel Guirado Aldeguer (Philippines), Quinton Norman Jacobs (Namibia), captain Luciano Sabrosa (Brazil) - and they could all decide matches.

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

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.

VIDEO: East Bengal 4-3 Kalighat MS highlights

Here are the match highlights by Bengali sports program XtraTime from yesterday's 4-3 thriller between East Bengal Club & Kalighat Milan Sangha at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri.

34th Federation Cup - Day 7: East Bengal win thriller, qualify for semifinals!

The 34th Federation Cup had its seventh and final match day of the quarterfinal group stage with Group C deciding which team would follow the Goan trio of Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC and Salgaocar FC into the semifinals. In the end last year finalist East Bengal Club prevailed with a 4-3 win against Kalighat Milan Sangha, while ONGC defeated Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 to end their dreams of a all Goa semifinal.


Group C

ONGC 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa - Goals: 1-0 David Lalrinmuana (30'), 1-1 Dawson Fernandes (62'), 2-1 Tarif Ahmed (89')

I-League promoted ONGC scored a 2-1 upset win against Sporting Clube de Goa in their final Group C match at Siliguri's SSB ground in the 34th Federation Cup. With this win ONGC finished second with six points, ahead of Sporting Club de Goa on four points.

ONGC's David Lalrinmuana scored from a freekick to give his side a 30th minute lead early before Dawson Fernandes scored a penalty in the 62nd minute to draw level for Sporting Clube. Striker Tarif Ahmed found the mark a minute from time to ensure the win for the Oilmen.


East Bengal Club 4-3 Kalighat Milan Sangha - Goals: 0-1 James Giblee (11'), 0-2 Tanmoy Kundu (15'), 1-2,2-2 Manandeep Singh (22',28'), 2-3 Iyikwobe Christopher Chizoba (40'), 3-3,4-3 Chidi Edeh (45+2' pen, 59' pen)

Last year finalists East Bengal Club had to come back from two goals down in their 4-3 win against Kolkata rivals Kalighat Milan Sangha in their third and final Group C match to finish their engagements on seven points to top the group to fix a semifinal against Churchill Brothers SC.

Making a haphazard beginning quite contrary to its approach East Bengal conceded two goals within the first 15 minutes. Kalighat Milan Sangha enjoyed the confusion in the red-and-gold defence of its famed opponent as Liberian James Giblee and captain Tanmoy Kundu found the target in tandem in the 11th and 15th minutes. In absence of regular centre-backs Uga Okpara and Gurwinder Singh, the backline had massive problems.

East Bengal like a champion side recovered from the initial setback as its young striker Manandeep Singh scored two quick goals in the 22nd and 28th minutes to
restore parity. But Kalighat MS rebounded with greater intensity and regained the lead off a nice solo from striker Iyikwobe Christopher Chizoba in the 40th minute though they couldn't take the 3-2 lead into the break as Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh equalised in injury time through a penalty after Chidi had been brought down by the Kalighat goalkeeper Souvik Mondal.

East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan reacted at the break and brought on Okpara and Gurwinder in place of Arnab Mondal and Raju Gaikwad, which brought back the stability in defence and allowed them to attack in search for the winner. East Bengal scored their fourth through their second penalty of the match when referee Rahul D'Sa hauled up Kalighat MS defender Babu Mondal for an infringement on Chidi inside the
box. The Nigerian striker successfully converted from the spot again to help the red-and-gold make it to the last-four stage. It stayed 4-3 until the end.

VIDEO: Air India 0-4 Churchill Brothers highlights

Here are the match highlights by Bengali sports program XtraTime from yesterday's Air India vs Churchill Brothers SC match at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri with an interview with Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva.

34th Federation Cup - Day 6: Churchill Bros & Salgaocar's qualify for semifinals

The 34th edition of the Federation Cup entered third and final round for the Groups B and D today and it was a successful day for the Goan clubs as Churchill Brothers SC and defending champions Salgaocar FC grabbed the two semifinal spots on offer to make it three out of three Goan clubs so far in the semifinals.


Group B

Air India 0-4 Churchill Brothers SC - Goals: 0-1 Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot (22'), 0-2 Roberto Mendes Silva (64'), 0-3 Akram Moghrabi (84'), 0-4 Bikramjit Singh (90')

Churchill Brothers SC reached the semifinals of the 34th Federation with a 4-0 victory against Air India in their final Group B match at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri. The Goans topped the group with seven points from three matches.

Churchill Brothers went ahead in the 22nd minute when Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot scored off a solo effort. They had to wait until the 64th minute for Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva (Beto) to curl in a free-kick and Air India was harmed by the sending-off of their captain Micky Fernandes only a couple of minutes later for stamping on Beto.

Towards the end Churchill Brothers added two more goals with striker Akram Moghrabi scoring in the 84th minute and young midfielder Bikramjit Singh in the last minute of the match.


Mohun Bagan AC 2-1 Mohammedan Sporting Club - Goals: 1-0 C.S. Sabeeth (50'), 2-0 Manish Maithani (53'), 2-1 David Sunday (63')

Mohun Bagan AC won 2-1 in an inconsequential match against Kolkata rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, but at least they finished second in their group with four points ahead of qualifiers Mohammedan Sporting who finished on three points.

After a goalless first session the game picked-up with Mohun Bagan scoring two goals in three minutes through striker C.S. Sabeeth (50th) and midfielder Manish Maithani (53rd) to give a weakened Mohun Bagan a comfortable 2-0 lead. But striker David Sunday reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute and late in the match he should have equalised, but Mohun Bagan walked away with the three points and some of its pride restored.


Group D

Prayag United SC 2-0 United Sikkim FC - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Mohammed Rafique (2',14')

Prayag United SC won 2-0 against newcomers United Sikkim FC at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur to salvage some pride after having been eliminated from the tournament prior to this match, while United Sikkim FC will have to regroup ahead of the I-League after losing all their three matches.

Prayag United SC did not waste much time in asserting their supremacy in the match. In only the second minute youngster Mohammed Rafique found the back of the net and in the 14th minute he would add another goal. It remained this way until the end.


Pune FC 1-2 Salgaocar FC - Goals: 0-1 Luciano Sabrosa (7'), 1-1 Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre (12'), 1-2 Anthony D'Souza (27')

Defending champions Salgaocar FC overcame Pune FC 2-1 at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur to qualify for the semifinals of the 34th Federation Cup from Group D. Salgaocar topped their group with nine points after winning all their matches.

It was an open match and Salgaocar made the better start with their Brazilian captain Luciano Sabrosa heading in the lead, but the lead lasted only five minutes as Ivorian Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre equalised. Knowing that only a win would take them into the semifinals Pune FC attacked, but paid the price as Anthony D'Souza scored with a beautiful shot in the 27th minute.

Thereafter both sides had their chances, but Salgaocar maintained the lead and won in the end 2-1 to qualify for the semifinals.

VIDEO: East Bengal vs ONGC highlights

Here are the match highlights by Bengali sports program XtraTime from yesterday's East Bengal Club vs ONGC match at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri.

VIDEO: Criticism of Federation Cup organisation

The following is a damning report by Bengali sports program XtraTime regarding the situation of the pitch in Jamshedpur and the overall organisation of the 34th Federation Cup. This is now coming under heavy criticism from ex-footballers.

34th Federation Cup - Day 4: Goan clubs strong, but Kolkata clubs disappoint

The 34th edition of the Federation Cup entered match day two for the Groups B and D today, but the final decision on who will progress from their respective group will happen on the final match day. In was a successful day for Goan clubs - Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar SC - as both won, but a disastrous one for Kolkata clubs as Mohun Bagan AC and Prayag United SC eliminated plus Mohammedan Sporting trashed.


Group B

Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-5 Churchill Brothers SC - Goals: 0-1,1-4 Akram Moghrabi (13',40'), 0-2 T. Bineesh Balan (27'), 0-3 Robero Mendes Silva (33'), 1-3

Churchill Brothers SC took apart Mohammedan Sporting Club 5-1 at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri today to move into top spot in Group B though Mohammedan Sporting remain with a chance to qualify for the semifinals.

Lebanese striker Akram Moghrabi gave Churchill Brothers a 13rd minute off a pass from countryman Bilal Sheikh El Najjarin. Thereafter youngster T. Bineesh Balan doubled the lead in the 27th minute and Brazilian Robero Mendes Silva made it 3-0 in only the 33rd minute. But Mohammedan Sporting hit back in the 38th minute through a David Sunday goal, but only a couple of minutes later Akram Moghrabi killed the hopes of a comeback from the Kolkata side.

Churchill Brothers continued to control the match in the second session, but only substitute Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot would add his name to the scoresheet with two minutes to go.


Mohun Bagan AC 0-2 Air India - Goals: 0-1 Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (28'), 0-2 Ezeh Nna Henry (86')

Record champions Mohun Bagan AC are out of the 34th Federation Cup after suffering a 0-2 loss against Air India at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, while the Airmen from Mumbai still have a chance to progress to the semifinals.

The match seemed to be going in Mohun Bagan's favour as Air India defender John Charles Dias was send-off in the 11th minute, but the Kolkata side could not score of their chances. At the other end striker Elijah Obagbemiro Junior gave Air India a 28th minute lead as his shot went in off a deflection of Anyichie Echezona Celestine.

Mohun Bagan put pressure on Air India, but they absorbed the ever growing pressure and scored the decider in their favour in the 86th minute through Ezeh Nna Henry to inflict a killer blow on their ex-coach Santosh Kashyap and his team.


Group D

Prayag United SC 1-1 Pune FC - Goals: 1-0 Carlos Hernández Valverde (13'), 1-1 Izumi Arata (62')

Kolkata side Prayag United SC are out of the tournament after the group stage as they were held to a one-all draw by Pune FC in their second Group D match at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. Meanwhile Pune FC have a chance to reach the semifinals, but they would have to beat Salgaocar FC in their last group match.

As expected both sides had their problems with the turf, still they tried to play their game. After early chances on both sides Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernández Valverde gave Prayag United a 13th minute lead, but Pune FC hit back as Izumi Arata equalised in the 62nd minute. It stayed this way until the end.


United Sikkim FC 0-3 Salgaocar FC - Goals: 0-1 Ángel Guirado Aldeguer (2'), 0-2 Nicolau Colaco (81'), 0-3 Anthony D'Souza (85')

Defending champions Salgaocar FC moved a step closer to qualify for the semifinals as they beat newcomers United Sikkim FC 3-0 in their second Group D match at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur. With their second win Salgaocar's are now on six points, while United Sikkim FC is out with no points so far.

Salgaocar made the perfect start as Spanish-Filipino striker Ángel Guirado Aldeguer headed his side ahead in the 2nd minute. But Salgaocar had to wait a while to seal the match as Nicolau Colaco doubled the lead in the 81st minute and only four minutes later Anthony D'Souza made it 3-0.

VIDEOs: Match Reports from Fed Cup yesterday in Siliguri

Here are the video match reports by XtraTime sports program from yesterday's Group B matches in Siliguri - Air India vs Mohammedan Sporting Club and Churchill Brothers SC vs Mohun Bagan AC.