New Delhi: Defending champions Mohun Bagan advanced to the semi-finals of the 38th Federation Cup football tournament with a 3-2 victory over Shillong Lajong in Cuttack on Wednesday.
Bagan became the first team from Group B to qualify for the last four stage. The Kolkata giants fell behind in the third minute after defender Pritam Kotal scored an own goal.
Spurred on by the early setback, they restored parity two minutes through Scottish striker Darryl Duffy. Man of the match Haitian star Sony Norde then put them ahead in the 27th minute followed by Japanese Katsumi Yusa’s 43rd minute strike.
They led 3-1 at halftime. Lajong managed to stay in the contest through Yuta Kinowaki’s 80th minute goal but couldn’t force a draw. Earlier in the day, Shivajians rode on Spanish import Juan Barraso’s brace to beat Bengaluru FC 2-0.
Barraso’s 71st minute penalty, followed by a fine long-range free-kick five minutes later was enough to give them three points at the Barabati Stadium.
Shivajians and Bengaluru FC now have three points from two matches.
