Kochi: Mohun Bagan entered the semi-finals of the 35th Federation Cup football championship with an intriguing 1-1 draw against Salgaocar at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
The Kolkata giants qualified with seven points, ahead of Shillong Lajong (6) from Group-C, after the latter had drubbed Mumbai FC 4-0, courtesy a Glen Cornell hat-trick, earlier at the same venue.
A 59th minute penalty from Odafa Okolie was Bagan’s share in the match while Bekash Jairu’s unbelievable long ranger in the 80th minute had almost tilted it in favour of the green brigade from Goa.
There was little tension in the first half. The second was contrastingly, end-to-end, as both sides pulled out all the stops.
Bagan almost went up just two minutes into the period as Salgaocar nearly dragged in, an own goal. Ram Malik, who replaced M.P. Sakeer at the break send in a wishful cross that was deflected on to the post by the Goan defence.
Before the hour, Odafa send Karanjit Singh diving the wrong way, as a result of a controversial decision. A soft penalty it was as Augustine Fernandes had no intention of felling striker Chizoba.
Necolao Colaco made a terrific goal-line clearance to deny Odafa and Bagan a second in the 64th minute. There was plenty of action in the ensuing period, but none more stunning than Jairu’s killer striker from about 35 yards that sailed and dipped, leaving Shilton Paul spellbound in the Bagan goal.
Earlier, Trinidanian striker Cornell was a special act as Shillong made Mumbai pay for missing an array of chances.
Glen opened his spree from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, added another from a powerful drive in the 53rd before completing a memorable treble from a direct freekick deep in the injury time.
