Churchill Brothers made their fifth entry into the Durand with an emphatic 4-1 win over Shillong Lajong in the semi finals here today. Twice champions (2007 & 2009) Churchill Brothers will however miss their star striker Henri Arnaud in the final. The Gabon international who has played professional football in Portugal was sent off in the 55th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Churchill Brothers will now meet Prayag United in the final on Saturday Oct. 15 at 5.45p.m. This is the fourth time that a Bengal - Goa club will clash in the Durand final. The last occasion was in 2009 when Churchill Brothers beat Mohun Bagan 3-1 with striker Odafe scoring an extra time hat-trick.
In a fast paced exciting match Churchill Brothers forged ahead in the 25th minute. Beto took a low and quick free kick from the left to the top of the box. A lurking Dias side - footed the ball goalwards and it entered the net via a deflection off central defender Aibor Khongjee. Three minutes later the Goa team scored again. Beto sped down the left and flicked to Henri who overtook his marker and placed past an onrushing goalkeeper Lalthuammawaia.
In the 43rd minute Shillong Lajong scored the reducer. Eugenson Lygdoh's accurate corner kick was headed in by tiny Menyongar who outjumped his 6ft 3 ins marker Anjun Kovacic to head in. Cheered on by their vociferous supporters Shillong Lajong started brightly in the second half.
However in the 48th minute Dias, accurate free kick was headed into the corner of the net by a diving Bineesh Balan. When Henri was shown the red card in the 55th minute, Churchill Brothers became defensive and played with a lone striker. Shillong Lajong attacked relentlessly but made little impact. In the 76th minute, midfielder M.P. Zakeeer who excelled today with mobility and clever passing took a low free kick from the right and Beto darted in to prod into the net.
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