Indian Premier Futsal League 2016: Wednesday Results and Latest Group Standings

Kolkata sealed their place in the semi-finals of the 2016 Indian Premier Futsal League as they earned a 1-1 draw with Bengaluru to top Group B on Wednesday in Goa.

Mumbai came out on top in a 6-4 thriller against Kochi, a result that kept Chennai's semi-final chances alive.

Kochi needed only a point to qualify to the last four with Mumbai but now must face off with Chennai on Thursday to decide which Group A outfit will head home early.

Here are the confirmed results from Wednesday's action as well as the latest standings ahead of Thursday's final day of group play:

	Result
Bengaluru	1-1	Kolkata
Mumbai	6-4	Kochi

Group A
Group B
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	GD	Points
Mumbai 5s	4	3	1	0	+3	9
Kochi 5s	3	1	1	1	+1	4
Chennai 5s	3	0	2	1	-3	1
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	GD	Points
Kolkata 5s	4	1	0	3	+2	6
Goa 5s	3	1	1	1	+3	4
Bengaluru 5s	3	0	1	2	-5	2

Wednesday Recap

Mumbai's clash with Kochi was arguably the game of the tournament at Goa's Pedem Sports Complex. 

Kochi got their noses in front early on as they searched for a much-needed point, with Deives Moraes tapping in at the far post after Michel Salgado's effort ricocheted off the near post and the goalkeeper.

However, Mumbai responded almost immediately to tie things up at 1-1 in the fourth minute when Adriano Foglia tricked his way through the defence and drilled home a finish.

Chaguinha then put Kochi ahead once more just before the end of the first quarter, after an excellent flick-on from Moraes.

Ryan Giggs' Mumbai side were back level just three minutes into the second quarter as Kevin Ramirez rifled home a sweet finish, but Kochi edged ahead again through Moraes soon after, following a brilliant Chaguinha pass.

Three goals on the bounce from Mumbai then left Kochi chasing the game. Foglia netted a second just before the end of the second quarter, before setting up Chanpreet with a brilliant cross for 4-3.

Angellot then made it 5-3 on the half-hour to open up a gap between the two sides as he finished off an excellent Mumbai counter-attack.

With just a quarter remaining to cancel out the two-goal deficit and earn a draw, Kochi pushed forward and pulled one back with four minutes to go, with Chaguinha netting after combining well with Moraes.

Moraes then addressed a late free-kick hoping to equalise at 5-5 and send his side into the last four. But his effort was saved, and in the resulting counter-attack, Mumbai sealed a 6-4 victory through Mannikoth, per Premier Futsal:

Kochi remain big favourites to join Mumbai in the knockout rounds, as they could lose to Chennai on Thursday and still seal qualification, but they had their chances on Wednesday in a brilliant match.

Bengaluru's Group B clash with Kolkata was a less goal-filled affair—both matches can be seen in full below via Premier Futsal's Facebook page:

Indeed it was something of a cagey exchange.

Paul Scholes' Bangalore side have yet to click during the tournament, and they needed a victory to make for a more comfortable clash against Goa on Thursday.

As it happened, Kolkata took the lead as they sought the point they needed to get to the semi-finals.

They went ahead in the seventh minute as Pula drove home a penalty—the ball nestled in the bottom corner despite goalkeeper Elias diving the right way.

The penalty was awarded after Hernan Crespo's corner struck the hand of Maxi in the D. 

Bangalore did find an equaliser eventually, as Jonathan Piers turned the ball home in the 22nd minute after goalkeeper Cidao could only parry an effort into his path.

Indeed, the Kolkata stopper had plenty to do during the match—some as a result of his constant forays forward—but he only conceded once, and Bangalore now face a huge final group game against Goa.