Mumbai: Mumbai FC moved into the semifinals of the E.K. Nayanar Gold Cup all-India football tournament, overcoming a fighting Southern Samity (Kolkata) 3-1 at the Corporation Stadium on Wednesday.

Army XI went out after a 0-2 defeat to Shillong Lajong FC. The Army men have a match left in Group I, against Samity, but even a win would do them no good.

Mumbai finished its campaign in Group I with seven points.

Ebi Sukore opened the scoring for Mumbai in the opening minute itself, heading home a splendid throw from Dhanraj Singh, who was doing the magical act for the second time in as many matches.

However, Dhanachandra Singh, in the 77th minute, and Gbeneme Friday, with a scorching 25-yarder in the 80th, ensured Mumbai's semifinal berth.

Even the sent-off of Sampath Kuttimani in the 85th minute didn't hurt Mumbai, whose Darren Caldeira was named ‘Man-of-the-Match'.

Earlier, ‘Man-of-the-Match' Sekhohao Tuboi (62nd) and Renedy Singh (88th) were the scorers for Lajong against Army.

Coming Thursday, MEG (Bangalore) takes on B.N. Railway (Kolkata) in the final — and deciding — Group II encounter.

By Indian Sports News