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Kingfisher East Bengal went down thrice before recovering to beat qualifier Kalighat Milan Sangha 4-3 in concluding group-C round of the 34th Federation Cup at the Kanchanjungha Stadium on Tuesday. The laboured win helped East Bengal gain the required points as it ensured the last semifinal berth of the tournament.
East Bengal will meet Churchill Brothers in the first semifinal on Thursday while holder Salgaocar SC and Dempo SC battle out in the other match a day later.
Making a haphazard beginning quite contrary to its approach East Bengal conceded two goals within the first 15 minutes. Kalighat MS enjoyed the confusion in territory of its famed opponent Nigerian
James Giblee and Tanmoy Kundu found the target in tandem in the 11th and 15th minutes. A scattered
East Bengal defence, in absence of the regular centre-backs Uga Okpara, floundered with its job making it easier for Kalighat to attack at will.
East Bengal recovered from the initial setback as its young striker Manandeep Singh scored two quick goals in the 22nd and 28th minutes to restore parity. But Kalighat rebounded with greater intensity and
regained the lead off a nice solo from striker Christopher Chizoba in the 40th minute. Nigerian Edeh Chidi rescued East Bengal in the injury time as he scored from the spot after being brought down by the
Kalighat goalkeeper Souvik Mondal.
Aiming to stem the rot after the break, East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan reintroduced Okpara and Gurwinder, who stuck to their task quite commendably. Earning the space to attack, East Bengal made
numerous forays in the second half but both Chidi and Manandeep failed to regain the touch. East Bengal found the winner with the help of the second penalty of the match when referee Rahul D’Sa hauled up the Kalighat defender Babu Mondal for an infringement on Chidi inside the
box. The Nigerian striker successfully converted from the spot to help last year’s runners-up make it to the last-four stage.
East Bengal 4 (Manandeep Singh 22nd, 28th, Edeh Chidi 45+2
(pen), 59th (pen)
beat
Kalighat MS 3 (James Giblee 11th,Tanmoy Kundu 15th, Chirstopher Chizoba 40th)
