Churchill, Pune FC in Durand Cup semifinals

Former champions Churchill Brothers beat 10-man Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the Durand Cup football tournament in New Delhi on Monday.

Churchill scored through Roberto Mendis Silva (9th, penalty) and Lalrindika Ralte (88th) in their last Group IV league match at the Ambedkar Stadium.

The Goan side topped the three-team group with six points from two wins and they now play Shillong Lajong in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

Mohammedan Sporting played with 10 men for most part of the match after Shaikh Azim was sent off in the ninth minute for arguing with the referee for awarding the penalty to Churchill.

In another match of the day, Pune FC beat Air India 2-1 to top Group III and qualify for the semifinals.

Paresh Shivalkar and Rollingson Hyungo scored for Pune FC in the 74th and 84th minutes respectively after Sandesh Gadkari had put Air India ahead in the eighth minute.

This will be the first semifinal appearance for Pune FC in a major tournament.

Pune FC will take on Prayag United in the first semifinal on Wednesday.