Air India to face BN Railways in Nayanar Gold Cup final

KOZHIKODE: Air India FC ended Southern Samity's dream run in the EK Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup on Monday at the Corporation stadium to set up a title clash with BN Railways, Kolkata in the final.
Air India secured a resounding 5-1 win over Kolkata-based club in the second semifinal.
Riding on a brace from captain Ezeh Henry, the Pilots had racked up all their goals just after the hour mark.Samity had started off the more aggressive of the sides, clearly buoyed by their victories over Shillong Lajong FC and Army XI in the group stage. They had a few chances to go in front, but Air India keeper Pawan Kumar pulled off some outstanding saves.
The most notable of the early exchanges was a fizzing shot from Samity midfielder Sovan Chakraborty at 14 minutes. Sovan's strike off a cut back from Lalrin Fela looked like a sure shot goal but Pawan flew across his line to palm the effort on to the crossbar.
Samity striker Alfred Ndyenge also hit the upright in the 21st minute with a long-range attempt but they soon fell behind.
The prolific Henry was the scorer, rising high to head in a free-kick from Royston D'Souza in the 25th minute. Japanese midfielder Takayuki Omi then came up with a fine solo effort in the 39th minute to get the second. Omi capitalised on a counter-attack from a Samity corner, carrying the ball from the halfway line and outwitting three defenders before calmly lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper Avijit Ghosh.
Local lad Mohammad Shafi then got on to the score sheet, slotting into the bottom-right corner after receiving a pass from Prakash Thorat in the 43rd minute.
Sitting pretty with a three-goal lead at the break, Santosh Kashyap's men were focused on increasing their lead early in the second half. They got their fourth goal three minutes after the match resumed. The assist was chalked up once again by D'Souza, who was freed on the right flank by Henry. The striker made his way into the box to head home the pin-point cross.
And D'Souza finally got the goal he deserved in the 62nd minute with a delicate finish into the top-right hand corner after being played in by Thorat. Air India made the most of their chances on the night and their superior finishing enabled them to coast through the latter parts of the game.
Samity did get a consolation goal in the 66th minute with Ndyenge meeting a corner from Marcos Pereira with a strong header.
Air India will now face BN Railway, Kolkata in the final on Wednesday.