Kochi, Jan 23: A dominant Churchill Brothers beat Mohun Bagan 2-1 to advance to the final of the 35th Federation Cup football tournament here today.
Churchill, who has been impressive in the tournament by winning all their three group matches, scored through Balwant Singh (4th minute) and Anthony Wolfe (14th) while Odafa Okolie (33rd) reduced the margin for Mohun Bagan in the semifinal match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Bagan defence watched as an unmarked Balwant headed in Thangjam Singh’s corner past Bagan custodian Shilton Paul to take the lead early into the match.
The second goal came 10 minutes later with Balwant receiving the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box where he was brought down by Aiborlang Khongjee.
Anthony Wolfe made no mistake to convert from the spot. It was barely 15 minutes into the game and Churchill, with all in control, were already 2-0 up.
The trend continued for the first 20 minutes as most of the play restricted to Bagan’s half. Whenever Bagan tried to attacked, everything was mostly directed towards Odafa Okolie, making it all the easier for their rivals.
Odafa was not allowed to turn and when he did for the first time in the 30th minute, he set up Ram Malik in the clear. But as Ram was that split second late in pulling the trigger, Ravanan Dharamraj recovered to thwart the danger.
It was in the 32nd minute that Bagan had their first crack at the Churchill goal. But Yusa Katsumi’s shot was palmed away by Lalit Thapa.
However, Odafa reduced the margin for Bagan the very next minute. The Nigerian chested Denson’s through pass and placed it past Thapa.
In the second half, Churchill survived a scare in the 54th minute. Christopher Chiboza trapped Odafa’s pass but his left-footer agonisingly hit the post after beating a diving Thapa. (PTI)
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