JOIN USGoalkeeper Karanjit Singh proved to be the saviour as Salgaocar survived anxious moments before edging out Bengaluru FC via tie-breaker (5-4) in the first semi-finals of the 127th Durand Cup here on Thursday.
The second semifinal saw Pune FC score a goal in each half to get the better of Sporting Clube de Goa to win the clash 2-1.
In the first game, both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the regulation and extra time, tie-breaker was introduced and Salgaocar scored all the five penalty through Gilbert Oliveira, Rocus Lamare, substitutes Nicolau Colaco, Zakeer Mundampara and Drryl Duffy.
Salgaocar’s keeper Karanjit Singh, who pulled off a couple of good saves in the regulation time, than made a diving save off Sunil Chhetri in the shootout to put his team in the final.
For the losing side, Joshua Walker, substitute K Udanta Singh, Evgeneson Lyngdoh and John Johnson were on target.
Bengaluru FC started well as they had the lion’s share of exchanges in both the sessions, created more scoring chances but Karanjit proved to be the stumbling block as he denied Evgeneson Lyngdoh, substitute K Udanta Singh and Robin Singh thrice.
Salgaocar, who played a subdued game, came into their own in the latter part of the first half had their chances but their strikers were found wanting.
In the second game of the day, Pune FC edged out Sporting Club de Goa to make it through to the title round.
After Bineesh Balan’s 20th minute goal was canceled out by a 23rd minute strike by Boima Karpeh, Pune FC went on to seal the game as Sueoka converted a free kick in the 62nd minute.