The Hindu : Sport / Football : FRFC takes IFA Shield

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 11, 2004

Sport

Sport - Football

FRFC takes IFA Shield

By Our Sports Reporter

KOLKATA, OCT. 10. The Finance and Revenue Football Club of Myanmar kept its date with history as it shot out defending champion Mohun Bagan 5-3 on penalties to lift its maiden IFA Challenge Shield football title here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday evening. The final of the 110th edition of the tournament saw Mohun Bagan first move ahead in the second minute of the extra-time, after the regulation 90 minutes ended goalless, and concede the equaliser barely two minutes from the finish before the visitor turned the tables in the tie-breaker.

Mohun Bagan dominated the first session and created two good opportunities but neither of them fetched a result.

The extra-time broke the monotony as Mohun Bagan shot into the lead in the second minute accomplishing a well-coordinated move. Roberto Silva had proved his merit heading home a centre from right-back Dulal Biswas provision.

In the shoot out the Finance and Revenue FC players showed better nerves scoring four out of the five attempts, while Mohun Bagan's chances evaporated after its Brazilian defender Eduardo Coelho and midfielder Noel Wilson failed to net in successive attempts while only Roberto Silva and Amit Das could score. The home custodian Prasanta Dora saved the visitor's first attempt when he blocked the shot of Soe Lin Tun but the pendulum swung the other way as Coelho and Wilson fumbled while Tun Tun Win, Myo Hliang Win, Yan Paing and Soe Myat Min struck in tandem for the visiting team.