Churchill, Mahindra move
into semi-finals

A first-half strike by Yusif Yakubu helped Goa's Zee Churchill beat an India Under-19 team 1-0 and move into the semi-finals of the Durand Cup football tournament in Delhi on Monday.

In another match, Mumbai's Mahindra United drew goalless with Kerala's FC Kochin.

Following the victory, Zee Churchill maintained an all-win record in the Group "D" quarter-final league.

Mahindra United, despite gaining a solitary point from the draw with FC Kochin, made it to the semis as they topped Group "C" with four points.

It was the second draw for the Kerala outfit. They were earlier held by Border Security Force.

In the first semi-final, Mahindra will play ITI, Bangalore, on February 13, while Zee Churchil will clash with Kolkata giants East Bengal the following day.

Playing at the Ambedkar stadium, which looked more like a paddy field than a football ground following intermittent rains, the teams, including Mahindra and Zee Churchill who have a number of foreign players in their ranks, had a tough time holding possession on account of the heavy slush.

Both Zee Churchill and Mahindra held an edge over their rivals but failed to get their act together inside the box.

Zee Churchill got the all-important goal in 41st minute when forward Ghanaian Yakubu netted off a pass from Iranian Mousavi Sayed Aman in 41st minute of first half.

114th Durand Cup 2002 - the complete coverage
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