Zico carries Samity into Nayanar Memorial Gold semifinals

KOZHIKODE: Southern Samity recorded another narrow win at the fourth EK Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup at the Corporation stadium on Saturday to become the last team through to the semifinals.
The team from Kolkata edged Army XI 1-0 and knocked Shillong Lajong FC out of the tournament. Shabbir Ali's men knew they needed a win against an Army side, who had been beaten in their two previous group games.
They dominated most of the early possession without really threatening a goal and this prompted Ali to replace the ineffective Sovan Chakraborty with Lalrin Fela as early as the 16th minute.
He made another change before the half was up, bringing on Echezona Celestine for Uken Debbarma in the 38th minute. The moves paid rich dividends as Samity went ahead just before the break.
Fela, operating down the right wing, fed Zico Zoremsanga in the first minute of injury time. The wiry attacker weaved his way into the box, twisting a couple of defenders inside out before rounding the keeper with consummate ease to tap into an empty net. Zico's finish would definitely have drawn a sigh of appreciation from his namesake, the Brazilian legend.
Samity, who had played two games in the last three days after arriving late following their exertions in the IFA Shield in Kolkata, were content to sit back in the second half and ensure that they did not lose their advantage.
With Celestine marshalling the back-four, Samity never looked like conceding a goal. While they had a couple of half chances to increase their lead, the second half was mostly played out in midfield with both teams lacking the drive to go all out and add to the scoreline.
This result means that it will be a Mumbai versus Kolkata affair for the championship. Mumbai FC take on BN Railway, Kolkata in the first semifinal on Sunday while Samity will take on Air India, Mumbai in the second semi a day later. The final will be played on Tuesday.