Manjeri (Kerala): Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh notched an opportunistic second-half double as East Bengal won 2-0 to knock out I-League leaders Bengaluru FC out of the 35th Federation Cup football tournament here at the MDSC Stadium Tuesday.
Bengaluru FC and India captain Sunil Chhetri and Australian striker Sean Rooney failed to convert second-half penalties while Chidi made merry off a goalkeeping gaffe for his first and a powerful long ranger for his second.
The win propelled East Bengal to four points from three matches while Bengaluru FC remained rooted to the same number of points from three outings. Sporting Clube de Goa advanced from Group B with six points and will now play Dempo in the second semi-final Thursday.
In the other semi-final, Mohun Bagan will play Churchill Brothers on the same day. Both the matches will be played at the JLNS stadium in Kochi.
Coming to the match, with Sporting Clube getting the better of Rangdajied United in the first kickoff of the day, the defending champions East Bengal had only pride to play for.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, needed a win to progress to the last-four stages. Both the teams went for glory from the very beginning of the match. In the 7th minute, East Bengal's Japanese playmaker Ryuji Sueoka failed to connect a delightful cross from Shylo Malsawmtlunga.
