The knockout phase of the oldest football tournament in India, the Durand CupAi??is all set to roll on at the Ambedkar Stadium in the National capital from today onwards. All the group matches have been settled and the table toppers take the semi-final spots, which are to be played today and tomorrow.
Semi Final 1Ai??
Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai??Ai?? 
v
PUNE FC
October 12, 2011; 17:45 hrs IST
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Defending champions Prayag United SC are through to the knock out phase for the second year running as they got the better of current I-league champions and Federation cup winners, Salgaocar SC in their final group match. Needing only a draw to qualify for the knock out stage, both the sides showcased their attacking prowess before veteran Ghanaian striker Yusuf Yakubu broke the deadlock twenty minutes into the second half. Gouranga Biswas doubled the lead as his header sailed in the Salgaocar net within minutes of gaining the initial advantage. The only blemish for the Kolkata side was the sending-off of Md. Rafiq in the dying moments of the match, which could see the midfielder sit out of the semi final clash. Earlier, in the first match the men in purple defeated BSF by the same margin, which saw Joshimar and Yakubu don scorersai??i?? boots.
Results:
Prayag United SC 2-0 BSF
Salgaocar 0-2 Prayag United SC
Prayag united challenge the might of Pune FC in the semi finals, which would be a first time for the Pune side since its inception. Coach Derrick Pereira would be having a full squad at his disposal for the match, as the Red Lizards step on the field today to create history. The team has gelled well for this tournament with midfielders exchanging quick passes with the strikers. The three scorers in the tournament so far – Paresh Shivalkar, Karma Tsewang and Rollingson Hyungyo would be the ones to watch out for Arnab Mondal and Bello Rasaq, who will form the spine of defence for Prayag United.
Pune FC entered the semi-finals after a spirited comeback in their final group match against Air India, chasing the match only after nine minutes on the clock. Many crucial players rejoined the team after playing out the historic match against Blackburn Rovers in Pune, adding more teeth to all the departments on the pitch. Pune FC topped the group after sharing the points in their opening match against ONGC FC. Karma T was on the mark for the Pune side earning them a crucial opening point, when a ai???Bai??i?? team was fielded in the wake of the Blackburn match.
Results:
Pune FC 1-1 ONGC FC
Salgaocar 0-2 Prayag United SC
Both the sides will be high on confidence as they lock horns today at the Ambedkar stadium. Both the teams were in the same group in last yearai??i??s edition and played out a goalless stalemate. The Pune side will be having revenge on their mind as they were denied a semi-final spot last year on the basis of goal difference. Pune FC mentor Derrick Pereira has a full squad to choose from, except the doubtful left back Kamaljeet Kumar and Subrata Pal, who is set to miss the opening four rounds of the I-league action. Defending champions Prayag United got the better of Salgaocar, which is no mean feat and would be once again counting on Denson Devadas in the midfield to knit moves for the dangerous duo of Joshimar-Yakubu.
TheHardTackleai??i??s Prediction:
Prayag United SC 1-2 Pune FC
TheHardTackle’s Player to Watch out for:
Paresh Shivalkar (Pune FC)
Semi Final 2Ai??
CHURCHILL BROTHERS SC
V
SHILLONG LAJONG FC
October 13, 2011; 17:45 hrs IST
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Shillong Lajong FC also booked a semi-final berth after they defeated local rivals united Sikkim FC in a must-win match by three goals to one. The Meghalaya-based club already tasted victory in their opening quarterfinal group round against Indian Air Force with P. Lalumpuia and Tuboi hitting the back of the net and earning all three points. United Sikkim also beat the same side, but by a bigger margin and hence only needed a draw to confirm a place in the last four. James Giblee gave Shillong Lajong the lead just before the half-time only to see his side going into the tunnel at 1-1. United Sikkim striker Sushil Singh had equalized for the Sikkimese club. The new signing Chris Chizoba scored a fantastic brace to take Shillong Lajong into the semi finals of the Durand Cup for the first time in their history. Coach Pradhyum Reddy would be missing the services of Lalramluaha, as he will be serving the red card ban for this match against Churchill Brothers SC.
Results:
Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 Indian Air Force
United Sikkim FC 1-3 Shillong Lajong FC
Two-time champions Churchill Brothers booked their spot in the last four courtesy a determined performance showcased by the new-look side, especially against Mohammedan Sporting. The Red army has been prolific in their scoring as the team has slotted seven goals in the two matches of the quarterfinal group stage so far. In the first encounter the red army scored five goals and conceded none to garner all three points against Army Red. Roberto Mendes, aka Beto has been at his supreme best in both the matches, and as if dealing with his expertise was not enough for the opposition, a new recruit striker Henri Arnaud has settled down quickly to add teeth to their attacks.
The second match saw Beto convert an early penalty to give Goans the advantage. Down to ten men, the Kolkata-based outfitai??i??s resilience made the match an interesting affair for the odd seven hundred people watching at the Ambedkar Stadium. Soon the tie was put to bed by India international Lalrindika Ralte who placed the ball into the net, minutes before the full-time whistle. Bineesh balan has also looked threatening and impressive in the tournament and would be looking to echo his performance from the quarter-final stage. At the back, Gouramangi and co. would be looking to keep a clean sheet once again as they would try to contain nippy Shillong forwards.
Results:
Churchill Brothers SC 5-0 Army Red
Md. Sporting Club 0-2 Churchill Brothers SC
TheHardTackleai??i??s Prediction:
Shillong Lajong FC 0-2 Churchill Brothers SC
TheHardTackle’s Player to Watch out for:
Beto ( Churchill Brothers SC)
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