Palmeiras, TFA in quarters

Unheralded Bhratri Sangha pulled off a major upset, holding fancied Brazilian outfit Palmeiras 1-1 in a Group D pre-quarter-final match in the IFA Shield football tournament at the Salt Lake stadium in Calcutta on Saturday.

However, despite the setback, the Brazilians entered the last eight as they topped their group by virtue of their emphatic 4-0 triumph over Tata Football Academy on Tuesday.

TFA also made it to the quarter-finals as the second team from the group, having carved out a creditable 2-1 win over Bhratri.

The Brazilian club, which has come with their second string, had the better share of the exchanges and struck the first salvo through striker Tom Hilton Moraira in the 19th minute.

The Calcutta side equalised in the 63rd minute, when substitute Babun Kar slotted home with a powerful volley, much against the run of play.

Palmeiras belied the expectations they had generated in their tournament lung-opener. Despite having the better share of the exchanges they failed to penetrate the solid Bhratri defence.

The Brazilian club upped the ante towards the end of the second session by speeding up the game, but their forwards were given no room for manoeuvre by the locals who crowded their defence.

F C Kochin also won a quarter final berth after edging out Eveready by a solitary first half goal in a Group B match at the Howrah Corporation stadium.

The slender margin of victory ensured that title aspirants Mohun Bagan moved into the quarter-finals as the top team from the group while the Kerala outfit had to be content with the second position.

Defending champions East Bengal will lock horns with F C Kochin while arch rivals Mohun Bagan will take on Tollyunge Aggragami in the quarter-finals on Monday.

Earlier reports:

East Bengal, Mukti Joddha in last 8
F C Kochin hold Mohun Bagan
Tollygunge rout Mohd. Sporting
Palmeiras, Mohun Bagan record easy wins
Easy win for East Bengal