Kingfisher East Bengal 1 (Dudu Omegbemi 78^th)

beat

FC Goa 0

AIFF Media Team

BHUBANESWAR: The first semi-final of the Hero Super Cup between Hero I-League side Kingfisher East Bengal and Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) outfit FC Goa ended with the Kolkata giants winning by a solitary goal at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Nigerian striker Dudu Omegbemi scored the winner in the 78^th minute. East Bengal now await the winners of the second semi-final between arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and JSW Bengaluru FC which is to be played on Tuesday.

The first-half which ended goallessly. East Bengal had better chances with Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna missing the first real chance of the half in the 19^th minute but he failed to tap in a cross from inside the box by teammate and Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa.

A minute later Dudu broke free from an Al Amna flicked header but with just the Goalkeeper and Hero of the Match Laxmikant Kattimani to beat, he hit straight at him.

Katsumi Yusa then missed two gilt-edged chances in the 33^rd and 35^th minutes. FC Goa also had a chance in added time but Ferran Corominas’ hit the post from an acute angle after his solo run.

East Bengal continued to press hard for a goal in the second half and Dudu and Katsumi again missed at golden opportunities to score between them -- the Nigerian being the more profligate.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 78^th minute when another quality cross from the left flank by Katsumi found Dudu who tapped in past Kattimani.

Meanwhile, FC Goa captain Eduardo Bedia was sent off in the second half after receiving his second yellow card of the match.