Bhaichung strike against JCT takes EB to Fed Cup semis

Silchar: Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia scored eight minutes from time to guide 10-man East Bengal to a solitary goal win over JCT in their final Group A match and book a berth in the semifinals of the Federation Cup. Bhutia, who came in place of Alvito D`Cunha in the 75th minute, made an oppourtinistic strike seven minutes after he entered the field as a loose ball fell on his way after a scramble inside the JCT box at the Satindra Mohan Dev Memorial Stadium. The India captain thus more than made up for his absence from the Kolkata side for the two earlier group matches due to a hamstring injury.With two wins and a draw, East Bengal emerged group winners with seven points and they will face their arch Kolkata rivals in thes econd semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on December 31. East Bengal were down with 10 men from the 25th minute when Harmanjot Khabra git his second booking after his first offence as early as the eighth minute but the Red-and-Gold brigade from Kolkata fought valiantly to emerge victorious.East Bengal almost took the lead in the 11th minute with their Ghanaian striker Yusif Yakubu feeding Saumik Dey for a superbly taken left-footer but JCT custodian Karanjit Singh was equal at the task to make a brilliant save. PTI