New Delhi: Churchill Brothers held on to their nerves to prevail over Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 in the penalty shootout and set up a title clash against Mahindra United in the 121st Osian's Durand Cup in New Delhi on Friday.
In an all-Goan semi-final at the floodlit Ambedkar Stadium, it was Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya who became hero for his club after both the sides failed to score in the regulation and extra time.
Arindam blocked the first two shots in the tie-breaker from Sporting Clube de Goa's Bisheshwor Singh and N Singh while Micky Fernandes sent his shot wide to give Emeka Ezugo's side a berth for Sunday's summit clash.
While Sporting Clube players suffered the nerves, Okolie Odafa, Ogba Kalu and Warun Deep were spot on.
In Sunday's final, holders Churchill Brothers would be meeting Mahindra United - they edged out JCT 2-1 on Thursday - in a repeat of last year's title showdown.
Most of the match was spent with both the teams probing each other, looking for the errors to happen that would give them some latitude.
Sporting Clube did well to keep Odafa quite, not allowing him to turn or use his pace. Thounaojam Singh kept a close watch on the Nigerian goalpoacher and the defence led by Felip Gomes working overtime to stop the surging runs of Khantang Paite and Reisangmi Vashum.
Chances were few and far between and most of them came Churchill's way. Odafa, who came in for some tasty tackles, saw his freekick rattle the woodwork in the 15th minute, while a minute later Vashum sent his shot into orbit after he was released down the left by Ogba Kalu.
In 98th minute, Paite's left-foot volley was palmed away by Sporting Clube goalkeeper Felix D'Souza.
Churchill Brothers received a blow when right full-back Ashley Fernandes had to taken off due to injury. And in a bid to make things work, coach Emeka Ezugo made a second substitution inside the first session, bringing in Raju Mangang for Jogeshwar Singh.
However, none of the teams made proper use of the flanks, floating hopeful balls from the midfield for the forwards to utilise.
The probings continued even after the breather, the war dances presented by army cadets at the break failing to ignite passions.
Perhaps frustrated by the marking, Odafa got himself drop deep and tried to spray the ball around in the second half as Churchill Brothers looked to stamp their authority in the game.
However, they didn't get the space they were looking for in the penetrative zone, which was kept sufficiently crowded by Sporting Clube.
While the defensive work was spot on, Vishwasgaocar's side lacked the thrust upfront, managing some long rangers that were either too high or went straight to Churchill Brothers custodian Arindam.
And with minutes flying by, it seemed they were looking to stretch the match to extra time and penalties.
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