Churchill Brothers booked a semi-final berth with a 2-0 win over Shillong Lajong FC, while Mohun Bagan began the season in style, thrashing George Telegraph 4-0 in the 114th IFA Shield in Kolkata on Friday.
I-League champions Churchill Brothers, who required a two-goal winning margin to progress into the last four stage, were clinical in their effort at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat.
Khanthang Paite (10th) and Odafe Onyeka Okolie (85th) scored for the Goans as they shared top spot with Mohammedan Sporting in Group B, but Churchill advanced to the semifinals thanks to a better goal difference.
Attacking from the start, the Carlos Pereira-coached side went ahead in the 10th minute when Okolie sent in a cross to Paite, who anticipated well and flicked the ball it into the Lajong net. The Shillong side tried hard to equalise but found the equalizer tough to come by.
The Goans dominated most part of the match and their much-needed second goal came through a penalty conversion after Reisangmei Vashum was brought down inside the box five minutes before time.
Okolie converted the spot kick to ensure his side's semifinal berth.
Now, Churchill Brothers take on either Air India or AS Douanes of Senegal from Group D in semi-finals.
Backed by a Chidi Edeh brace, 20-times IFA Shield champions Mohun Bagan routed George Telegraph 4-0. James Singh (38th) and substitute Subha Kumar (87th) also put their names on the scoreboard to help Bagan register a convincing victory.
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