Samba magic was on show on the opening day of the 29th Federation Cup as East Bengal and JCT crafted identical 3-1 victories here on Tuesday to set up a quarter-final encounter between themselves.

The Kolkata giants got past city rivals Mohammedan Sporting while the home team brushed aside Vasco Sports Club to enter the last eight.

Brazilian Edmilson Marques found the net twice in the 52nd and 67th minute after Ashim Biswas had given the red and gold brigade the lead in the 22nd minute. Kulothungon scored for Mohammedan in the 46th minute.

Eduardo da Silva scored one (5th minute) and set up another goal for compatriot Marcos Pereira (45th). JCT also benefited from a bizarre own goal from Robert Fernandes (75th) soon after Mathew Odje had reduced the deficit in the 68th minute.

Vasco’s Quetrio Pango was shown a second yellow card for kicking Baldeep Singh (Sr) in the groin and the Goan side were reduced to 10 men in the last five minutes of the game.

JCT and East Bengal will now face off on Sunday for a spot in the semifinals of the most prestigious knockout football tournament in the country.

East Bengal, which looked the more cohesive unit compared to Mohammedan, took the lead midway in the first half when a pinpoint cross from the right was headed past Mohammedan keeper Nasibul Haque by Ashim Biswas.

Mohammedan were not lacking in endeavour and their Nigerian import Paul Nwachukwa was a constant threat but lack of sharpness and Subrato Pal thwarted their attempts.  Earlier, four strikes, a red card and an own goal marked an eventful opening match of the tournament as hosts JCT outclassed Vasco Sports Club 3-1.

The victory margin could have been bigger had JCT taken all their chances and Juze Siddhi in the Vasco goal not made some good saves.

In contrast, the JCT defence gave little joy to the rival forwards and ‘keeper Karanjit Singh had a largely uneventful late afternoon.

Vasco had to play out the final five minutes with only 10 men when Quetrio Pango was shown a second yellow card for kicking Baldeep Singh (Sr) in the groin.

The only sore point was the sparse crowd in the stands, a stark contrast to the packed Ambedkar stadium during the recent Nehru Cup.