Kolkata: Two goals from striker Biswajit Biswas kept Bhowanipore SC in the hunt for a semifinal berth at the 116th IFA Shield after they outplayed a second string Shillong Lajong FC 3-0 in a Group A encounter at the Kingfisher East Bengal ground here on Monday.
Lajong were missing out on as many as nine starters going into the match on Monday. It may be mentioned that SLFC are looking to test their bench strength in the IFA Shield tourney and the team from Shillong does want to risk injury to its key players who needed proper rest before the final push in the I-League.
Bhowanipore SC dominated all along in both halves as Henry put the local outfit ahead in the 25th minute, and agile striker Biswajit doubled his score in the 55th and eighty-five minutes to give a a big win and full three points.
Bhowanipore, which lost 1-2 to Kingfisher East Bengal in the inaugural match, threw another challenge to the Red and Golds for a semifinal berth as both now have three points.
East Bengal who play Lajong on March 9 need only a draw to move into the last four.
In Group D play Mumbai FC were held by Techno Aryan Club at Howrah Stadium to share one point each.
Lalampuiya put I-League outfit from Mumbai ahead, but Shubokumar of Aryan Club, a first division side of Calcutta Football League, levelled the score to keep open the challenge in the three-team group in which Prayag United SC, who will play against Mumbai FC on March 7.
Meanwhile, another team from Shillong, Ar-Hima would start its IFA campaign on Tuesday against Pune FC who drew with Pailan Arrows 1-1 on Sunday. Ar-Hima is placed in Group C.
“The team is unknown and honestly do not know what to expect,” Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira said about the match.
Pune FC faces a must-win situation for keeping their semifinal hopes alive. (Agencies)