Churchill first team to enter Fed Cup semifinals

Kochi: Egyptian attacking midfielder Abdelhamid Shabana set up one and scored the winner as Churchill Brothers defeated Eagles FC 2-1 in a Group A match here on Friday to become the first club to book their place in semifinals of 35th Federation Cup.
After a goalless first half, Balwant Singh gave Churchill Brothers the lead from a Shabana freekick but the Eagles equalised through Sakibo.
However Shabana confirmed the Goan club’s berth in the last-four with a sumptuous free kick after Eagles’ Charles Dzisah had been sent off for a second yellow.
In an earlier Group A match here, a second half strike from Baldeep Singh saw United SC beat Pune FC 1-0.
It was a must-win game for both sides but in the end the Kolkata team triumphed to remain in contention for a semifinal place, a hope which was eventually squashed by Churchill’s victory.
In Manjeri, second half goals from Josimar da Silva (75th) and substitute Rakesh Masih (90+2) kept alive Mohammedan Sporting’s semifinal hopes as they downed lowly Bhawanipore FC 2-0 in a Group D match.
Josimar scored off Manish Maithani’s corner after Nabi fed the ball for the Brazilian inside the six-yard area.
Mohammedan saw their lead doubled deep into second half stoppage time as substitute Masih sent home a splendid left-footed long-ranger that dipped into the net.
Mohammedan have three points from two matches while Bhawanipore are out of the competition having failed to register a win in their two outings.
In another Group D match, Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey marked his debut with a double either side of halftime as Dempo SC trounced lacklustre United Sikkim 3-0.
Dempo now need a draw against Mohammedan on Monday to advance to the semifinals owing to better goal difference. Ozbey had moved from Mohammedan to Dempo last week. (PTI)