Churchill, Dempo enter semifinal of Federation Cup

Goan sides Churchill Brothers and Dempo SC today entered the semifinals of the 35th Federation Cup after contrasting results in their respective last league matches in Cochin and Manjeri.
While Churchil registered their third consecutive win by defeating Pune FC 3-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dempo were held to a goal-less draw by Mohammedan Sporting at the MDSC Stadium in Manjeri.
Churchill finished on top of Group A with nine points from three wins, while Dempo narrowly eked out Mohammaden Sporting to emerge as the leader in Group D.
After today's draw, Dempo and Mohammedan finished their group outings on seven points apiece from three matches, but the Goan outfit progressed to the last-four stage by virtue of better goal difference.

In the match between, Churchill and Pune FC, Anthony Wolfe scored a brace while Lenny Rodrigues netted the other for the Goan side.
For Pune FC, Gabriel Fernandes scored two goals.

The first goal of the match came in the eighth minute when Wolfe slapped in Abdel Hamid Shabana's cross from the right.
The early setback hit Pune hard and they pressed for the equaliser and eventually pulled it back in the 19th minute. Churchill Goalkeeper Lalit Thapa managed to palm off Anthony D'Souza's low powerful shot, only for the rebound to be tapped in by Fernandez who was following up.

However, Churchill Captain Lenny Rodrigues had other ideas. In the 24th minute, receiving a pass from Wolfe, a composed Lenny broke into the box and beat Amrinder Singh with his left-footer.
After the cross-over, Fernandes made amends when he intercepted a rebound to blast it in past Thapa in the 53rd minute.