135th Durand Cup: Mohun Bagan prevail on penalties over holders NorthEast United to set up Kolkata Derby final

Shillong, Aug 20 (IANS) Vishal Kaith turned hero, pulling off two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to send Mohun Bagan Super Giant into the final of the 135th Durand Cup as the Mariners prevailed 4-3 on penalties against NorthEast United after the second semifinal ended 0-0 in regulation time at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will now face arch-rivals East Bengal FC in a Kolkata Derby final on Sunday.

NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali made two changes, bringing in defenders Soraisham Dinesh Singh and Pramveer Singh to the starting lineup in place of Asheer Akhtar and Macarton Louis Nickson, while Panagiotis Dilimperis also made two changes to his Mohun Bagan starting XI, bringing in Samir Zeljkovic in midfield in place of Anirudh Thapa and Kiyan Nassiri in attack in place of Dejan Dražić.

Both sides struggled to establish control in midfield during the opening 20 minutes, with the wet conditions making it difficult to build sustained passing moves. As a result, both teams frequently opted for long balls over the defensive line in an attempt to create attacking opportunities.

The first shot on target came midway through the first half when Liston Colaco’s free-kick forced an excellent save from NorthEast United goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. Moments later, Kiyan Nassiri opted to shoot from a tight angle rather than pick out his teammates inside the box, but his effort found the side netting.

At the half-hour mark, Alaaeddine Ajaraie saw his volley narrowly miss the post after bringing down a high ball from a set-piece. With the wet conditions making it difficult for either side to play their preferred style, set-pieces became an important source of attacking opportunities, with the teams earning three corners each during this period.

Sahal Abdul Samad won possession in the centre of the pitch just before half-time and, with NorthEast United goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh backpedalling, attempted an audacious effort from distance. However, Gurmeet recovered in time to get to the ball and deny an effort that looked destined for the target as both sides went into the half scoreless, with the first providing minimal chances for each of them.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the opening period, with both sides continuing to struggle to create clear-cut opportunities. NorthEast United came closest to breaking the deadlock around the hour mark when Alaaeddine Ajaraie narrowly failed to connect with a well-drilled low cross from the right flank by Abdul Rabeeh.

Ajaraie was once again involved in another NorthEast United attack. The Moroccan collected a long ball on the left half and delivered a cross into the box, where Etyan Gonzalez rose to meet it. However, the Spanish striker could not direct his header towards the target.

NorthEast United continued to create the better chances in a contest where clear-cut opportunities remained at a premium. Macarton Nickson came close after a well-worked move that began on the left flank before the ball was switched to the right and crossed into his path. However, his effort from inside the box found the side netting.

In the end, both teams were content to try their luck in the penalty shootout as the match ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time.

After both teams converted their first three penalties, the shootout remained finely balanced. Robin Yadav stepped up to take NorthEast United’s fourth kick but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Vishal Kaith. Jamie Maclaren then calmly converted to put Mohun Bagan ahead before Kaith produced another outstanding save to deny Parthib Gogoi, sending Mohun Bagan into the final to face arch-rivals East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby.

–IANS

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