Chidi's goal puts Salgaocar in final

Midfeild action: Lajong's Boithand Haokip and Salgaocar's Ryuiji Sueoka (right) in locked in an intense struggle. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

A last minute goal from striker Edeh Chidi helped Salgaocar SC quell the challenge from Shillong Lajong FC in the first semifinal of the 33rd Federation Cup here on Sunday.

The match at the Salt Lake Stadium was stopped from being a dull one only due to some late initiative from the Goan side. The win helped Salgaocar make its first final entry after 14 years. The team last won the title here in 1997.

Creativity remained largely absent in the first session as the both the sides preferred a cautious approach. Despite having a better attacking option in the Nigeria-Japan combination of Chidi and Ryuiji Sueoka, Salgaocar could not manage the required edge in its offensive.

This resulted chiefly from a sluggish midfield with Rocus Lamare and Mehrajuddin Wadoo groping for effective possession that could activate their colleagues upfront.

Chidi was active in the Lajong box but never got the support he needed to help break the opponent's defensive array.

The Nigerian striker pried opened the opposition defence once in the 12th minute but the goal did not materialise as Sueoka's attempt flew over the crosspiece.

The Lajong attack lacked sting owing to the lethargy of its offensive duo — Chizoba Christopher and Johny Menyongar. Luciano Sabrosa, Salgaocar's Brazilian stopper-back, almost gifted a goal to Lajong in the 24th minute miscuing a header that bounded off the upright when he tried to clear a cross from Lajong left-back Lalchuanmawia.

Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa replaced Gilbert Oliviera with Ishfaq Ahmed after the break.

But the move did not yield much as Salgaocar's search for the goal extended late into the second session.

One stray attack, which came off a long floater from defence in the 68th minute, raised hope in the Salgaocar ranks as Chidi set up Sueoka unmarked on the Lajong box.

But the Japanese striker delayed his attempt allowing the Lajong goalkeeper Lalthumawia Ralte to successfully charge up for a clearance. Sueoka continued to remain prodigal sending his third attempt — a header in the 82nd minute — wide from close.

Meanwhile, Lajong found two openings but failed to score owing to the alertness of the Salgaocar custodian Karanjeet Singh, who cleared successive attempts from Johny (85th minute) and Boithand Haokip (88th).

With the end of the regulation time approaching Chidi finished the job in the 90th minute. The Nigerian, located by a floater from the midfield by 87th minute substitute Elijah Junior, found the net with a neat lob after Ralte fumbled with his clearance offering an open goal to the former.