CFA, IFA sail into semis

Mahilpur Football Academy will never like to remember this day as they were stunned by a brilliant fight-back by the Indian Football Association, Kolkata after they were sitting pretty with a 1-0 lead in the first half. Eventually, IFA Kolkata were rewarded for holding on to their nerves as they registered an emphatic 2-1 win over Mahilpur to sail into the semi-finals. IFA Kolkata will need many more such miracles in their semi-final bout with Chandigarh Football Association who are unbeaten in this tournament with five successive victories.

Both the Mahilpur and IFA Kolkata teams got number of opportunities to go up but their players failed to covert these into goals due to the pressure riding on them. However, it was Rajbir Singh senior who broke the deadlock in the 27th minute as he pounced on a perfect cross from left flank and executed a perfect volley which the IFA goalkeeper failed to stop. Both the team pushed harder, trying to outdo each other and come up with a goal. However, their quest was broken by a long whistle by the referee, signaling the end of the first half. The second half brought new players, and hence few flavour into the match. Barely three minutes had passed when IFA scored through Deepankar Sarkar8217;s header in the 48th minute. The goal not only restored parity for the team but also infused a new life into the players. However, Prabhakar Naskar8217;s produced the goal of the match-a sizzling 20-yard footer that proved to be the golden goal for their team as IFA cruised into the semis to lock horns with CFA.

Earlier, favourites Mohun Bagan thrashed Cantonment Senior Secondary School Board of Jalandhar by 10-0. They will compete with St Stephen8217;s Academy for a final spot.

Chandigarh Football Association defeated Madhya Pradesh by 3-0 while Rohit Football Academy, Orissa got the better of Steadfast Football Academy, Mumbai by 5-3.