IFA Shield: Churchill beat AI in shootout, enter final

Kolkata: I-League champion Churchill Brothers struggled past Air India 5-3 in a penalty shootout to enter

final of the 114th IFA Shield in a rain-soaked encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today. After even extra-time play failed to break the 1-1 deadlock, Churchill scored 4-2 in tie-breaker with the winning goal coming through Nacimento Silveira, whose shot deceived Air India keeper Arnab Das Sharma. Other Chruchill scorers in the shootout were Ogba Kalu Nnanna, Sudharkarn Naveen Kumar and Gourmangi Singh, while Reisangmei Vashum`s shot was saved by Sharma. For the Mumbai outfit, Harpreet Singh and Vijith Shetty found the net but Kailash Patel hit the bar and Tapan Maity`s effort was far wide as their side crashed out. Initially, the Airmen secured an early lead through an own goal by Chuchill defender Rowilson Rodrigues in the 14th minute. Churchill failed to convert nine corners and as many freekicks in first-half, with Air India holding on to their lead till 76th minute of the game. Vashum had a forgettable outing in the first half but the medio brought Churchill back into the game through a spectacular goal in the 76th minute. Airmen went one-up when Churchill defender Rodrigues` outstretched leg made the ball loop over their custodian Arindam who stood dejected in frustration. Having conceded goal early into the first-half, the Goa outfit went under more pressure and dished out a lacklustre show till the breather. Vashum missed an easy freekick in 21st minute, failing to get his boot to the ball. But the Airmen`s attack was lacking the penetrating power to make further inroads as Churchill had a better possession. After the changeover, Air India held on to their 1-0 lead and when it all seemed that they would progress into the final, Vashum from the edge of the box lofted the ball over goalkeeper`s head into the net. Spotting Air India custodian Arnab out off line, Vashum chipped the ball over with his sharp left-footer to bring in the equaliser. After 10 minutes, the Goans looked to settle the issue when Durga Boro launched a shot from near the goal but the Air India custodian stood in between, clearing the ball superbly. Both teams had few chances in the extra time, but they failed to take capitalise on those, stretching the proceeding to the penalty shootout. Bureau Report