Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 17: Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Jamshedpur FC 9-8 on penalties in a dramatic third quarter-final to book their place in the semifinals of the 135th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Monday.
The match ended 1-1 after regulation time, with Sahal Abdul Samad and Devendra Murgaonkar scoring for their respective teams, before Mohun Bagan prevailed in a marathon penalty shootout.
The shootout went into sudden death after the first 16 kicks were successfully converted. In the fourth kick of sudden death, Jamshedpur's Lawmsangzuala saw his effort saved by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, before Tekcham Abhishek Singh converted the decisive penalty to send the Mariners through.
Mohun Bagan will face the winner of the fourth quarter-final between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC in the semifinal, scheduled to be played on August 20 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
Mohun Bagan made a dream start, taking the lead inside the second minute. Pronay Halder's pass towards Rashithoi Meetei was not properly controlled, allowing Sahal to pounce on the loose ball. He drove into the box and calmly slotted a low finish into the bottom-right corner.
The early goal lifted Mohun Bagan, who pressed aggressively in the opening exchanges. Tekcham Abhishek Singh and Subhasish Bose were particularly prominent on the flanks, repeatedly making overlapping runs and keeping the Jamshedpur defence under pressure.
Jamshedpur gradually recovered from the early setback. By the 15th minute, the visitors had begun enjoying longer spells of possession and were looking to create openings in the final third, although Mohun Bagan's defence remained organised.
Jamshedpur created a good chance in the 17th minute when Lalrhriatpuia Chawngthu played a well-weighted through ball to Aman CK. Aman timed his run perfectly but, shooting from a tight angle on the left, was denied by an excellent near-post save from Kaith.
The visitors came close again in the 25th minute following a free kick. Chawngthu's delivery found Pratik Chowdhary at the far post, but his effort sailed well over the crossbar.
Mohun Bagan then had two opportunities to double their advantage. In the 27th minute, Sahal and Liston Colaco combined down the right before Sahal picked out Dejan Drazic with a cross towards the far post.
The Serbian was presented with a free header from close range but could not keep his effort on target. Six minutes later, Drazic was denied again when he failed to make a clean connection with a first-time volley following Abhishek's cross from the right.
Mohun Bagan continued to press for a second goal and, in the 37th minute, Sahal squared the ball to Lalengmawia Ralte. His shot from the edge of the box, however, sailed high over the crossbar.
Jamshedpur found the equaliser right on the stroke of half-time. Rashithoi collected the ball outside the Mohun Bagan box and, with space to shoot, unleashed an effort from distance. Kaith could only parry the ball, and Devendra was on hand to finish from close range as the teams went into the break level.
Jamshedpur started the second half strongly and pressed high up the pitch. Aman CK remained a constant threat, repeatedly using his quick feet to trouble the Mohun Bagan backline.
Mohun Bagan came close to regaining the lead in the 49th minute. Second-half substitute Samir Zeljkovic displayed good vision to find Sahal inside the box with an outside-of-the-boot pass. Sahal cut inside and curled his effort over the bar.
Two minutes later, Alberto Rodriguez rose to meet Kiyan Nassiri's corner but could not direct his close-range header on target.
The match continued at a high tempo through the middle stages of the second half, with both sides pushing forward whenever they won possession.
Zeljkovic tried his luck again in the 61st minute after cutting inside from the left, but his effort lacked the required curl to trouble Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes.
Mohun Bagan squandered a golden opportunity in the 63rd minute. Albino came well off his line but failed to clear the ball, allowing Sahal to nick it away and square it to Liston with the goal at his mercy. Liston, however, could not control the opportunity and the chance went begging.
Jamshedpur responded three minutes later. Aman once again sliced through the Mohun Bagan defence before setting up Sanan Mohammed, whose first-time effort flew high and wide.
The contest remained tense and open in the closing stages, with both sides continuing to attack but unable to find the decisive opening.
Substitute Sayan Banerjee almost made an immediate impact in the 79th minute when he beat his marker down the left and drilled a low cross towards Jamie Maclaren, who could not quite direct it towards goal.
Mohun Bagan pushed more men forward in search of a late winner, but Jamshedpur held their shape to force the match into the penalty shootout.
Deep into stoppage time, Sayan tested Albino with a long-range effort, forcing a smart save. The resulting corner, however, came to nothing.
The dramatic shootout eventually went Mohun Bagan's way, with Kaith's crucial save and Abhishek Singh's successful penalty sealing a 9-8 victory and a place in the Durand Cup semifinals.