CALCUTTA (India): Mohammedan Sporting overcame Sikkim Police 1-0 on Sunday to meet Sikkim Himalayan in the 39th Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup final in Gangtok.
Charles Atcha scored the all-important goal in the 27th minute at the Paljor Stadium.
The Black Panthers, who won the Sikkim title in 2016, came close to winning the Calcutta Football League after 38 years, but finished fourth.
The Calcutta side managed to hang on to the lead till the end though some sloppy defending eight minutes into the second-half gave Sikkim Police the chance to equalize.
But goalkeeper Priyant Singh made a good save to deny Bir Bahadur Pradhan from close range while Sanjeev Rai missed the target on the follow-up.
Had it not due to Sikkim goalkeeper Bipen, the score line would have been bigger with Mohammedan forwards in full throttle.
The opening 10 minutes was a rather scrappy affair, with both teams unable to hold onto the ball long enough to create any decent scoring opportunities.
Sarra Camara came close to scoring in the 13th minute after he met with a cross from Sujoy Dutta, but the former headed wide.
The final will be held on Tuesday.
