Vasco/Margao(Goa), Jan 9: Dempo SC rode on Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey's brace to prevail over local rivals Salgaocar FC 2-0 and march into the Federation Cup football tournament final Friday for a title contest with Bengaluru FC.
In the semi-final, Bengaluru FC blanked Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 at Vasco, courtesy goals from Australian Sean Rooney, Indian skipper Sunil Chetri and midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh. The final will be played Sunday (January 11).
Bengaluru open scoring in 20th minute
In the second semi-final, Sporting came close to opening the account in the 20th minute when Trinidadian striker Anthony Wolfe's shot was cleared off the line.
Minutes later, however, Bengaluru surged into the lead as Chhetri fed a delightful ball to an over-lapping Keegan Pereira, whose inch perfect pass found Rooney inside the box and he merrily tapped home.
Ten minutes after the first, Benguluru went up 2-0. Rooney played the ball back to Chhetri just outside the box, and the striker rocketed inside and unleashed a screamer which found the net after coming off goalie Ravi Kumar's fingertips.
Benguluru were resilient thereafter as Sporting found it extremely hard to breach their defences and counter their attacks, as they speared forward at the slightest opportunity.
Bengaluru eventually found the net once again in the 87th minute when Robin Singh, after being picked out on the left wing by Englishman Josh Walker, unselfishly set up Lyngdoh who calmly finished past the Sporting keeper.
IANS