Calcutta: Second half goals from Joshimar and substitute Rakesh Masih kept alive Mohammedan Sporting’s semi-final hopes as they downed lowly Bhowanipore FC by two goals in a Group D match of the Federation Cup, at the MDS Stadium, on Friday.

Joshimar scored off Manish Maithani’s corner after Syed Rahim Nabi fed the ball for the Brazilian inside the six-yard area.

Mohammedan Sporting saw their lead getting doubled deep into second half stoppage-time as substitute Rakesh Masih sent home a splendid left-footed long ranger that dipped in.

In another Group D match, Tolgay Ozebe marked his debut with a double either side of half-time as Dempo SC trounced United Sikkim 3-0. Beto scored the third.

Churchill Brothers became the first club to qualify for the semi-finals, when they defeated Eagles FC 2-1 in a Group A encounter. Egyptian attacking midfielder Abdelhamid Shabana set up one and scored the winner.

Churchill have six points from two matches, and will play Pune SC, who lost to United SC 0-1 earlier in the day, in their last match.

Results

Group A (in Kochi): United SC 1 Pune FC 0; Churchill Brothers 2 Eagles FC 1

Group D (in Manjeri): Dempo SC 3 United Sikkim 0; Md. Sp. 2 Bhowanipore 0