NorthEast United FC got the better of Mohun Bagan Super Giant in penalties to win their first major trophy after an exhilarating final at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday amidst silent protests concerning the alleged rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
At the start of the match banners and tifos bearing messages of the ongoing unified protests by Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC fans since the August 9 incident were displayed.
Meanwhile, the final of the 133rd Durand Cup was a tale of two halves, one dominated by Mohun Bagan and the other by NorthEast United playing their maiden final. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time before tiebreakers decided its fate.
The decisive moments in the shootout came from NorthEast United goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, who saved penalty kicks from Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose, securing the Highlanders’ first major trophy.
Celebrations quickly ensued as club co-owner John Abraham rushed onto the field. Emotional players and support staff embraced each other, shedding tears of joy. They then changed into their ‘Champion’ jerseys and proudly marched their way to collect the coveted Durand trophies.
Victorious NEUFC players after the match | Salil Bera
In the first half, Mohun Bagan completely dominated the proceedings, pushing NorthEast United into the back foot. The Mariners got an early lead when Jason Cummings successfully converted a penalty in the 11th minute of the game.
A minute before, NorthEast United FC’s Asheer Akhtar pulled Mohun Bagan’s Sahal Abdul Samad inside the penalty box. The referee, who was in a perfect position to witness the foul, rightly pointed towards the 12-yard spot.
Mohun Bagan continued to stay on top throughout the first half and this resulted in another goal during the stoppage time of the half. Mohun Bagan’s Liston Colaco made a run down the left wing and sent in a cross to Sahal, who tapped the ball past Gurmeet and into the net.
Victorious NEUFC players after the match
The green and maroon brigade ended the half with eight shots, including four on target. In comparison, the visitors could manage only one shot on target.
However, NorthEast United started the second half with renewed vigor. They narrowed the gap in the 55th minute when Jithin MS, advancing into the final third, set up Alaeddine Ajaraie on his left. The Moroccan expertly curled the ball towards the near post beyond Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith’s reach.
NorthEast United produced a magical moment three minutes later when Guillermo, who had been substituted in at halftime, received a high cross on the right flank and volleyed it, silencing the crowd at Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
NorthEast United ended the match with 20 shots, of which 17 came in the second half. The number of shots on target rose from one in the first half to eight.
