Salgaocar, Pune FC win in Fed Cup football

In an evenly contested match played at JRD Tata Sports Complex, Salgaocar were under pressure for major part of the goal-less first half but put their act together after the interval.

Forward Milagres Gonsalves sent an accurate pass to midfielder Anthony D'Souza, who dribbled past two defenders of Prayag United before he dodged past goalkeeper Subrata Paul to score the goal in the 64th minute.

Prayag United put up a good fight against a strong team and made some menacing moves initially but shot wide off the target on each occasion.

After receiving a pass from the right flank, Prayag's foreign recruit striker Carlos Gerardo H V sent a powerful right footer from just outside the 18-metre box but goalkeeper Karanjit Singh brilliantly punched it out.

Kolkata Club's foreign-origin forward Ranti Martins was in his element throughout the match making some good moves but lacked the finishing touch. However, his mid-field pass went in vain when the Goan club goalkeeper saved the powerful shot off midfielder Malswal Tluanga minutes after the lemon break.

In an another match played at Keenan Stadium, United Sikkim dominated the proceedings initially but Pune FC bounced back into the match to score the winner off forward Jeje Lalpekhlua in the 51st minute.

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the United Sikkim, coach Philip de Ridder claimed that the outcome would have been different had Bhaichung Bhutia, who missed the match due to a meeting with the West Bengal sports minister in Kolkata, played today.

"Certainly, we have dominated the proceeding from the kick off but failed to convert the opportunities, apart from the poor ground conditions," he said expressing hope that Bhutia will play in the next match.