Churchill Brothers in semi-finals of Durand Cup

Defending champions Churchill Brothers rode on skipper Okolie Odafe's hat-trick to blank Army Red 3-1 and qualify for the semi-finals of the 123rd Durand Cup Football Tournament, at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

The day's second match, between Chirag United and Pune FC, ended in a goal-less draw with both teams sharing a point each.

In the match between Churchill and Army Red, Odafe opened the scoring for the Goans in the 35th minute, and added two more goals after the change of ends, in the 57th and the 90th minute.

Army Red's Sochungmi Raleng reduced the margin with his 44th-minute consolation goal.

Churchill Brothers had earlier beaten Madras Engineering Group (MEG), Bangalore, 4-2 in their opening match on Wednesday.

Odafe now has five goals from two matches -- he had scored a double in the first match.

Army Red, too, had started their campaign on a winning note, demolishing MEG, Bangalore 3-0.