Vasco beaten in Fed qualifier
Dempo meet Pailan in Federation Cup opener
TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Kalighat booked a berth in the Federation Cup quarter-final league on Friday  beating NRB Vasco Club 4-1 at JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
Former Shillong Lajong striker James Gbilee opened the scoring for Kalighat as early as the third minute. Chizoba doubled the lead just before the half hour mark and struck again in the 41st minute. Skipper Tanmoy Kundu added his name on the scoresheet as well just moments before the half time whistle.
Lezly Fernandes pulled one back for the Goan outfit but it was too late for them to spring a comeback.
After having trounced Royal Wahingdoh 6-0 in their opening match, Kalighat’s second victory in as many matches sealed a place in the Federation Cup main draw.
On Sunday, Vasco suffered their second successive defeat with Royal Wahindoh FC registering a 4-2 win after surging ahead 3-0 at the breather with T Lalnunpuia putting the team into the lead in the 18th minute.
Forward Lalnunuia scored a brace two minutes later and T Jackichand Singh netted in the 29th.
After play resumed in the second half, Vasco put their act together and scored a goal off Jose Colaco in the 57th mintue.
Royal Wahindoh regouped and Ennio D’silva converted a cross in the 60th minute.
Vasco’s M Mascarenhes fetched the reducer in the 87th minute.
Meanwhile, Ten Action+ are likely to broadcast the Federation Cup matches with two games telecast  live daily, one each from Jamshedpur and Siliguri.
On September 19, Dempo meet Pailan Arrows while on September 20 Salgaocar face Prayag United and Churchill Brothers clash with Mohun Bagan. On September 21, Sporting Clube de Goa take on East Bengal.
 Dempo will stick to their familiar 4-4-2 formation under their veteran head coach Armando Colaco who can depend on foreigners Rohan Ricketts, who will be the first Premier League player to play in the tournament, Ryuji Sueoka, Koko Sakibo and Ghanian defender Stephen Offei. Whether Rickeets and Offei will be playing will depend on their arrival which has been delayed due to their work permit regulations.