Mumbai FC needed to win by at least half a dozen goals to remain in the hunt. In the end, however, they were fortunate not to have conceded as many, as Army XI registered a 1-0 victory, a margin that could’ve been much bigger.

S Releng netted the lone goal of the match in the 37th minute for the Bangalore team, who are already out of contention. But their win on Tuesday sent Mahindra United to the semi-finals. Mahindra are now the only Mumbai team remaining in this year’s Durand Cup.

It also rendered the big clash of the day — between Churchill Brothers and Mahindra United — almost inconsequential and it was reduced to a test of strength before the semi-finals. The evenly contested match ended 1-1, although Mahindra’s equaliser in the second was a rather controversial one. Buoyed by the previous match’s result, Mahindra decided to rest their mainstays — Mohammad Rafi, Sukhwinder Singh, Edeh Chidi and Douhous Pierre.

One-man army

It took Churchill only eight minutes to seize the opportunity, as Reisangmi Vashum netted in off a clean strike from the top of the box. Churchill coach Emeka Ezugo, unlike his counterpart Derrick Pereira, began with his key players Odafa Onyeka and Ogba Kalu Nnanna, keeping the midfield and forward line busy. For Odafa, his coach’s criticism after the last match looked like doing wonders, but at the same time he appeared to be leading a single-man army with almost none to assist him upfront.

... contd.