Federation Cup: Unheralded Sporting Clube De Goa enter semis

First timers Sporting Clube De Goa rode on their luck and maintained a winning streak to oust better-rated Tollygunje Aggragami, Calcutta 2-1 to move into the semi-finals of the 24th Federation Cup Football Championship on Wednesday.

In their quarter-final match, the teams shared two goals in regulation time. In the seventh minute of the second session of extra-time, Sudanese Clifford Chukwuma of Sporting Clube De Goa was instrumental in Kamal Sulaiman finding the target.

Chukwuma darted in from the left after asking for a pass from Peter Pereira and set up a superb short pass to Sulaiman. The latter's first timer, a half volley, went past Sandip Nandy.

The Goans had beaten Indian Bank and East Bengal in their earlier matches.

It is to be seen whether they continue their dream run when they take on the winners of JCT Mills, Phagwara and Dempo Sports Club, Goa, who will clash in their quarterfinals on Thursday.

Though Tollygunge Aggragami had the better share of the exchanges in a match that was confined to more of mid-field play, its forwards especially Surajit Das and Moses N Oira were forced to return empty handed.

On the other hand, the Goans were seen regrouping to the box to defend whenever needed.

Their game plan, which paid off against both Indian Bank and East Bengal in the earlier matches, was repeated in Wednesday's match.

Though both the teams were able to move into the box of the rival teams, there was poor finishing by both sides.

Tollygunge was the third outfit from Calcutta to crash out of reckoning after NFL champions East Bengal, in the pre-quarter finals, and Mohammedan Sporting in the first round.

After a goalless first-half, the Calcutta outfit took the lead in the 23rd minute through medio Sasthi Duley. Following a forward pass from Khemthang Paite, Oira found Duley unmarked. The last-named lobbed the ball past an advancing goalkeeper Felix D'Souza.

However, Tollygunge's joy was short-lived as the Goa team found the equaliser six minutes later through a penalty kick. Referee Pradip Kumar pointed to the spot after Sporting Clube medio Kamal Sulaiman's goalbound shot hit Tollygunge defender Parthasarathi Dey on his hand. Substitute striker Clifford Chukwuma converted the kick, the ball ricocheting into the goal after hitting the inside of the right post.

Complete Coverage: Federation Cup, 2001