IFA Shield: Prayag United sail into semis
Siliguri, Mar 11 : Prayag United Monday moved into the semifinals of the 117th IFA Shield after 2-1 win against fighting ONGC in the Group A's last tie at Kanchenjunga Stadium here.
Former Costa Rican world cup player Carlos Hernandez fired a long ranger to lead Prayag United in the 35th minute, which was leveled by Jatin Singh of ONGC just three minutes from water break.
Resumption of the second half saw a fierce footballing between the rivals but the Kolkata team managed to hold the winner in the 50th minute scored by striker Mohammed Rafiq.
It was decided the match for ONGC and Prayag United in the Group B as they took the field with four points each after two games.
Both of them beat bottom side Pailan Arrows and were defeated by Kingfisher East Bengal, who sailed first in the first four after grabbing nine points from three games.
Dominating over the proceeding right from go Prayag United put pressure on the rivals but could not make any headway until midfielder Carlos Hernandez sent a salvo from a set piece.
But ONGC did not lag behind with a super free kick goal and regrouped to restore balance after captain Jatin Singh beat Prayag keeper Sangram Mukherjee in the 42nd minute.
Prayag began attacking with the resumption of the second half and Md Rafique hit home a measure pass from James Singh seven minutes into the second session.