Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith produced two decisive saves in the penalty shootout as Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated NorthEast United FC 4-3 on penalties to reach the final of the 135th Durand Cup after their semi-final ended 0-0 in regulation time at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today.
The Mariners will now face arch-rivals East Bengal FC in a highly anticipated Kolkata Derby final on Sunday, August 23.
Both teams struggled to establish control in midfield during the opening stages, with wet conditions making it difficult to string together sustained passing moves. Long balls behind the defensive lines became a frequent attacking outlet for both sides.
Mohun Bagan created the first notable opportunity when Liston Colaco’s free-kick forced an excellent save from NorthEast United goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. Kiyan Nassiri then found space inside the box but chose to shoot from a tight angle, sending his effort into the side-netting.
NorthEast United responded as Alaaeddine Ajaraie came close in the 30th minute, seeing his volley narrowly miss the post after controlling a high ball from a set-piece.
Set-pieces remained a key source of opportunities in a cagey first half, with both teams earning three corners each. Just before the break, Sahal Abdul Samad attempted an ambitious long-range effort after winning possession in midfield, but Gurmeet recovered in time to make the save.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with neither side able to produce a clear-cut chance despite NorthEast United creating more of the promising openings.
Ajaraie narrowly missed connecting with a low cross from Abdul Rabeeh around the hour mark. The Moroccan forward was involved again moments later, delivering a cross towards Etyan Gonzalez, whose header failed to trouble Kaith.
NorthEast United continued to threaten, with Macarton Nickson coming close after a well-worked move that switched play from the left to the right. However, his effort from inside the box went narrowly wide into the side-netting.
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the semi-final went straight to a penalty shootout.
Both teams converted their opening three penalties to keep the shootout level. NorthEast United’s Robin Yadav then saw his fourth attempt brilliantly saved by Kaith, giving Mohun Bagan the advantage.
Jamie Maclaren kept his composure to convert Mohun Bagan’s next penalty before Kaith produced another crucial save, denying Parthib Gogoi and sealing the Mariners’ place in the final.
Mohun Bagan will now meet East Bengal in the Durand Cup final, setting up another chapter in one of Indian football’s biggest rivalries at the culmination of the 135th edition of the tournament.
