Prayag United down Sporting Clube, enter Fed Cup semis

Kolkata challengers Prayag United registered a 2-1 victory over Sporting Clube de Goa on Thursday to set up a semi-final clash against seven-time champions East Bengal in the 33rd Federation Cup football tournament.

United dominated from the start, with medio Denson Devadas giving them a fifth minute lead.

Cheered by a motley home crowd in a rain-soaked atmosphere, substitute Joshimar Da Silva Martins doubled the lead for the Kolkata side in the 82nd minute.

Sporting Clube reduced the margin, converting a penalty in the 88th minute.

The Goans, who required a draw to book a semi-final berth, struggled to get their act together as the local outfit stole the show for an-all Kolkata semi-finals on September 26.

With two wins and a draw, United SC topped Group D with seven points while Sporting Clube ended their campaign with six.

Devadas impressed right from the beginning. The Kerala midfielder headed home from a Lalkamal Bhowmick corner to give United the perfect start.

He almost had a double when he chested down another Lalkamal corner in the 16th minute, but Sporting Clube goalkeeper Gerad D'Mello thwarted the fine effort.

Continuing his fine run, Devadas brilliantly set it up for Yusif Yakubu in the 28th minute but the Ghanaian striker failed to make use of the opportunity.

Despite trailing 0-1, Sporting Clube did not show any urgency in finding the equaliser which could have earned them a semi-final berth.

The Goan side got a brilliant chance from a goalmouth melee midway into the second half but wasted the opportunity before United struck another goal.

Malswamtulunga attacked from the right and brilliantly set it up for Joshimar to score.

Four minutes later, Sporting Clube's Jovel Martins was brought down by Deepak Mondal inside the box and a penalty was awarded in the Goans' favour. Ogba Kalu converted from the spot.