Controversial goal puts EB in Fed Cup semis

Defending champions East Bengal booked their semifinal berth after a scrappy 1-0 victory over Dempo in their group C fixture of the 33rd Federation Cup here on Wednesday.

On a rain-soaked evening,East Bengal had mispasses galore and poor finishing in the opening session but made amends after the break with Robin Singh scoring the match-winner in the 68th minute at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Kolkata giants were,however,lucky to have won the match as referee Pratap Singh overlooked a clear penalty in favour of Dempo.

Australian recruit Tolgay Ozbey,who set up the winner for East Bengal,handled the ball inside the box in the first minute of injury time but Pratap chose to overlook it. The win put East Bengal on top of group C on seven points,reducing the match between Pune FC and Mohammedan Sporting to an inconsequential affair.

Dempo ended their campaign with three points from their solitary win against qualifiers Mohammedan Sporting. The star-studded side,boasting of seven national squad members,never looked threatening.

East Bengal,cheered on by the home crowd,had an erratic first-half with Tolgay,Reishengmei Vashum missing chances. But Dempo failed to capitalise,badly missing playmaker Roberto Beto Mendis Silva who has joined Churchill Brothers.

East Bengal looked menacing in their attack after the changeover and they found the match-winner in the 68th minute. Tolgay led the attack from the right wing from a long ball,before giving a centre to Delhi lad Robin Singh who slammed the ball home.

But the goal looked dubious from TV replays as the ball took a final touch from Baljit Singh Sahni from an offside position. But the line in-charge apparently overlooked it,handing the goal and the win to East Bengal.

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