Mahindra in Federation Cup semis

Substitute goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Choudhury turned out to be the hero for Mahindra United as he saved Bibiano Fernandes's penalty in the tie-breaker to propel the Mumbai outfit to the semi-finals of the Federation Cup football tournament with a 6-5 win over Sporting Clube de Goa on Saturday.

The teams were locked 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra-time.

Surajit Bose slotted the final penalty to spark Mahindra into celebration mode.

Mahindra will face another Goan team in the last four. Thy will take on the winners of the Dempo Sports Club - Churchill Brothers match.

Ajayan Nair had put Mahindra in front in the 29th minute and, ironically, it was Fernandes who drew the Goan club level from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.

In the tie-breaker, Mahindra, who had defeated Sporting in the title decider two years ago, found the mark through N P Pradeep, Steven Dias, D S Djiaja Pierre and Manjit Singh before Bose settled the matter.

L Bisheshwor Singh, Nicholas Muyoti, Rajesh Meetei and Olushola Ogundare converted for Sporting but Fernandes missed their final kick.

Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira had brought on Subhashish in place of Sandip Nandy barely two minutes before extra-time ended and the move turned out to be a masterstroke as he dived to his left to save Fernandes's attempt.