East Bengal and Shillong Lajong Makes it Though to the Semis

Group A: Shillong Lajong FC make it to the Semis Thanks to Mohun Bagan

Johnny Menyogar, 2 goals from
3 matches

If anybody would have guessed a team to go through to the Semis, he would not have guessed Shillong Lajong in the presence of giant teams like Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers. It was a really close encounter for Shillong Lajong FC when they knew that they have qualified for the Semi Finals of 33rd Edition of Federation Cup. If Mohun Bagan failed to make an impact on the first major tournament of the 2011-12 season, they did a favour for the North East Club by stopping Goan outfit Churchill Brothers from making it to the Semi-Final stage. Prior to the match played between Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers, Shillong Lajong played its last league encounter against Royal Wahingdoh (who was by then the toppers of the group) and Shillong Lajong managed to defeat their rivals with the solitary goal coming at the 42nd minute thanks to Ex-United Sikkim forward Johnny Menyongar. Thus Churchill Managed only 4 points from their three matches, and Royal Wahingdoh managed 6 points which was same as of Shillong Lajong FC. But thanks to their win against Royal Wahingdoh they made it to the semis.

Group C: East Bengal make it after defeating Dempo

Robin Singh, on target again

Unlike Group A, East Bengal did not have to rely on others for their qualification but had to do it themselves, and they did it against the i-League Champions Dempo SC. Robin Singh was on target again for the Red and golds thanks to a solid assist from Australian Tolgay Ozbey. That goal proved to be decisive factor at the end as East Bengal managed to hold on to the same scoreline. There were some controversial moments when Tolgay was found guilty of handling the ball inside the Penalty box but the referee decided to give a free kick which was not converted. Thus it meant East Bengal finished with 7 points ahead of Dempo with 3 points and Pune FC with 4 points.