Palmeiras, TFA in quarters

Kolkata:

Unheralded Bhratri Sangha pulled off a major upset holding fancied Brazilian outfit Palmeiras 1-1 in a group D pre-quarter final exchange of the IFA Shield here today. But despite the setback, the Brazilians entered the last eight finishing as group toppers by virtue of their emphatic 4-0 triumph over youngsters of the Tata Football Academy on Tuesday. TFA also made it to the quarter-finals as the second team of the group, having carved out a creditable 2-1 win over Bhratri. The Brazilian club, which has brought its second string side, had the better share of the exchanges and struck the first salvo with dependable striker Tom Hilton Moraira finding the target in the 19th minute of the Salt Lake stadium match. The local side equalized in the 63rd minute as substitute Babun Kar slotted home with a powerful volley, much against the run of play. Palmeiras, however, belied the expectations they had generated in their tournament lung-opener. Despite having the better share of the exchanges they failed to penetrate the solid Bhratri defence. The Brazilian club upped the ante towards the end of the second session, by speeding up the game, but their forwards were given no room for manoeuvre by the locals who crowded their defence. (PTI)