Indian Premier Futsal League 2016: Final Group Standings, Semi-Finals Schedule

Kochi and Goa advanced to the semi-finals of the 2016 Indian Premier Futsal League on Thursday after clinching results against respective group opponents Chennai and Bengaluru.

A 3-3 draw against Chennai was sufficient for Kochi to take second place in Group A as the latter twice fought back from behind to snatch a point from their opponents, with Chaguinha the star of the show.

Earlier on Thursday, goals from Michael Silva, Rafael and Vampeta saw Goa claim a convincing 3-0 victory over Bengaluru to top Group B ahead of Kolkata, with Cafu making a sensational futsal debut for the former.

That means Mumbai will go up against Kolkata in Saturday's opening semi-final before Goa take on Kochi as they look to make it to the grand decider at Peddem Sports Complex, Goa.

Read on for roundup of Thursday's Indian Premier Futsal League results, complete with the latest group standings and confirmation of who will face who in the last four.

Team 1	Score	Team 2
Goa	3-0	Bengaluru
Kochi	3-3	Chennai

Group A
Group B
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	GD	Points
Mumbai 5s	4	3	1	0	+3	9
Kochi 5s	4	1	1	2	+1	5
Chennai 5s	4	0	2	2	-3	2
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	GD	Points
Goa 5s	4	2	1	1	+6	7
Kolkata 5s	4	1	0	3	+2	6
Bengaluru 5s	4	0	2	2	-8	2

Date	Time	Fixture
Saturday, July 23	2:20 p.m. BST/9:40 a.m. ET/7 p.m. local time	Mumbai vs. Kolkata
Saturday, July 23	3:20 p.m. BST/10:40 a.m. ET/8 p.m. local time	Goa vs. Kochi

Chennai 3-3 Kochi

With no chance of toppling Mumbai from the Group A summit, Kochi knew all they needed to do was avoid defeat against Chennai in order to take their spot in Saturday's semi-finals.

After scoring two apiece in Sunday's 4-4 draw against Chennai, Deives Moraes and Chaguinha in particular bore a heavy burden coming into Thursday's duel, as foretold by Premier Futsal:

And thanks to the magical form of Brazilian maestro Chaguinha, it was the second-placed side who managed to hold onto the position they boasted coming into Thursday's contest.

Kochi's hopes were set back a way after Chennai went 2-0 ahead, but Moraes and Chaguinha hit back to equalise before Romulo re-established a 3-2 lead for Group A's bottom team. However, Chaguinha was on hand again to do damage from long range, and England futsal player Doug Reed couldn't help but admire the spectacle:

It wasn't the prettiest of results, but after sealing a second draw against Chennai in the space of four days, Kochi will face Group B winners Goa, while Mumbai will take on Kolkata in the other semi-final.

Goa 3-0 Bengaluru

Goa booked a priority place in the semi-finals of the inaugural Premier Futsal League on Thursday and bounced back from losing Ronaldinho as their marquee player in the best of ways.

ESPN FC reported just a day prior that the Brazil legend had left the team in order to serve as an ambassador at the 2016 Paralympics, but presenter Sam Matterface confirmed his replacement had some prestige of his own:

Cafu had an instant impact on the competition, too, after his deflected shot led to Michael Silva scoring the opener for Goa, and the tournament's official Twitter account praised his contribution:

Vampeta was one of the stars of the show for the home outfit, teeing up Rafael for his third-quarter breakthrough to double Goa's lead before netting a penalty of his own in the fourth quarter.

Bengaluru finish third in Group B as a result and end the inaugural Indian Premier Futsal League without a win to their name, while Goa can afford to hold high hopes heading into their semi against Kochi.