ONGC made it to their maiden Durand Cup football final, defeating a tenacious Indian Navy 1-0 in the second semi-final at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Tuesday.
ONGC striker Henry Ezeh scored the winner in the 53rd minute. ONGC will now take on Mohammedan Sporting Club of Kolkata in the final, to be played under floodlights, on Thursday.
In a well contested match, Indian Navy dominated possession but could penetrate ONGC’s well organised defence. ONGC used a lone striker, Nigerian Henry Ezeh, with ample support from new recruit Lavino Fernandez from the flanks.
Fernandez’s cross from the left in the 53rd minute led to a goalmouth scramble and Ezeh found the net as Indian Navy defenders struggled to clear the ball.