Kolkata, March 25: Reigning champions Churchill Brothers pipped Southern Samity by a solitary goal at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today to finish as Group A toppers in the 115th IFA Shield.
Churchill rode on a Boima Karpeh goal in the injury time of second-half to beat Southern Samity, who finished second as both the teams made the last-four cut.
In the second match of the day, 27 times Shield champions East Bengal ended their campaign with a 3-1 win over China’s Shandong Lueng FC, who finished with the wooden spoon in Group A.
Down 0-1, East Bengal scored through Baljit Singh Sahni (41st), R Vashum (77th) and Ravinder Singh (90+3rd) to make a spirited comeback.
The China outfit drew the first blood through a Mi-Hao-Ling goal in the 22nd minute.
-Agencies