Another penalty shootout after a barren 120 minutes of play one again ended in grief for a Goan side, after Churchill Brothers crashed to Bengal Mumbai FC yesterday.

Khanolkar, carrying off from where he left in open play, spectacularly foiled Salgaocar's efforts to win their second title in three years in the shootout. The railway side won 4-1, sealing the issue from their fourth kick itself when Shanta Kumar shot past Bharat Morjee's right.

Scenes of delight saw Central Railway coach Irenio Vaz chaired by ecstatic fans, revelling in the railway side's amazing performance in the tournament that has meant playing nine matches in only three weeks, coming from the Mini Rovers.

But in all the din and drama of an extended struggle, spare a thought for the most illustriousplayer on the pitch who will look back with remorse and regret. Salgaocar's international Bruno Coutinho failed with a penalty in the 80th minute of the hitherto pedestrian match and made a sad exit from the tournament when coach Shabbir Ali replaced him a minute from full-time.

The celebrated striker, in sparkling form until today, shot over and wide after referee Abdul Hakim ordered the award when Sadanand Kakodkar brought down Jules Aberto.

Saturday's final pits BMFC against the railwaymen who must hold the psychological advantage after a 1-0, 0-0 record in the last Super Division league.

The match will also make it the first all-Mumbai final since 1993 when Mahindras beat Bank of India. Khanolkar's brilliance earlier must count as crucial moments in Central Railway's success in their first semi-final since 1965 and going into the shoot-out, they were odds on favourites to win.

Besides showing a safe pair of gloves and remarkable anticipation, he hauled the match into the extra-period with a finedive to his right to thwart substitute Jules Alberto. He then made sure that the tiring railway side got their chance in the shootout with a breathtaking save from point-blank range to deny young substitute striker Alvito D'Cunha in the 115th minute when Salgaocar fans had already shouted ``goal''.

There was more vicissitude for Salgaocar when Alberto's goal from the resultant corner was disallowed -- a decision that irked coach Shabbir Ali -- and choked the Goan side's celebration of what they thought was the golden goal.

Salgaocar, living up to their pre-match billing, enjoyed the edge but the railway side's realistic approach brought its reward.

Vaz acknowledged that his players were tired and sought to control the pace by slowing down the game and being a former goalkeeper himself praised the 24-year-old Khanolkar's reflexes.

Shabbir Ali, Vaz's opposite number, rued the many chances his players spurned along with a slightly shaky defence but was profuse in praise for rival 'keeperKhanolkar.

Sadanand Kakodkar opened the tie-breaker by finding the net but Salgaocar's Kenyan mid-fielder William Inganga drew level. Central's Pradeep Saha met with success and Salgaocar were under pressure when Khanolkar flew to his right to block the left-footer.

Mario Rodrigues scored for Central without ado to make it 3-1 and unabated joy from Mumbai fans when Khanolkar went to his right to block. Shanta Kumar, composed and collected then did his bit to finish it.