Mohun Bagan Supergiant made a stunning comeback from two goals down to hold Bengaluru FC 2-2 in regulation time and then win 4-3 in the penalty shootout to enter the final of the Durand Cup 2024.
The semi-final played at the Salt Lake Stadium witnessed a thrilling encounter as both rivals displayed brilliant attacking styles but Mohun Bagan showed more resilience and tenacity.
As it happened: Mohun Bagan Super Giants vs Bengaluru FC highlights
Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who had changed Mohun Bagan's fortunes by saving two shots in the shootout against Punjab FC in the quarter-finals, did his job once again.
He saved Bengaluru FC's last two efforts – from Halicharan Narzary and Aleksandar Jovanovic – to help the Mariners secure their 30th appearance in the final of Asia's oldest tournament.
Mohun Bagan will face NorthEast United FC in the final here on Saturday.
Bengaluru goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved Mohun Bagan's Greg Stewart's last shot but it didn't prove enough in the end.
Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco and Dimitri Petratos scored for Mohun Bagan while Edgar Mendez, Rahul Bheke and Pedro Capó scored for Bengaluru FC.
The Mariners will face NorthEast United FC, who beat Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the first semi-final on Monday, in the final on August 31. | Photo courtesy: Debashish Bhaduri/The Hindu
The Mariners will face NorthEast United FC, who beat Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the first semi-final on Monday, in the final on August 31. | Photo courtesy: Debashish Bhaduri/The Hindu
Sunil Chhetri was the difference-maker in the first half when the former Indian captain converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to give Bengaluru FC a comfortable lead.
Colaco was reprimanded for pushing Vineeth Venkatesh inside the penalty box, giving Bengaluru a chance to change the scoreline.
Chhetri could have easily found the breakthrough as early as the 12th minute when he pounced on a misplaced clearance by Mohun Bagan defender Thomas Aldred.
The forward made a solo run into the Mohun Bagan box but delayed his effort, allowing Kaith to come close and miss the chance.
After conceding the goal, Mohun Bagan launched a relentless attack. Colaco and Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez were denied on two successive occasions while Gurpreet was beaten from all sides.
Mohun Bagan came back with more determination after the break but Bengaluru doubled their lead in the 50th minute with a brilliant counter-attack.
Argentine forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz received the ball in the Mohun Bagan box and passed it to Vineet, who made no mistake to tap-in.
Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina brought on Scottish playmaker Stewart in the 54th minute and this changed the Mariners' attacking potential.
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Mohun Bagan pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Bengaluru FC defender Rahul Bheke made the mistake of pulling down Manvir in the box.
Petratos made no mistake to convert it but in the 84th minute Anirudh Thapa scored a brilliant goal to bring the home team back in the match.
Results: Semi-final 2: Mohun Bagan SG 2 (Dimitri Petratos 68-pen, Anirudh Thapa 84) vs Bengaluru FC 2 (Sunil Chhetri 43-pen, Vinith Venkatesh 51) (Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC 4-3 via tie-breaker)