Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured a spot in the Durand Cup 2024 final by defeating Bengaluru FC 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after regulation time, necessitating a shootout to determine the victor.
The penalty shootout saw Mohun Bagan’s Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, and Dimitri Petratos all finding the net. Bengaluru FC responded with successful penalties from Edgar Mendez, Rahul Bheke, and Pedro Capo. During regulation time, Bengaluru FC had established a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from the legendary Sunil Chhetri in the 42nd minute and promising young talent Vinith Venkatesh in the 50th minute. However, Mohun Bagan staged a remarkable comeback with goals by Dimitri Petratos in the 68th minute and Anirudh Thapa in the 84th minute to bring the match level.
The match unfolded amidst tensions in the city, particularly in Howrah and the western parts of Kolkata, where clashes between police and protesters over a local issue had created an atmosphere of unrest. Despite the challenges, normalcy was restored at Salt Lake Stadium just in time for the semifinal, although the 20,000-strong crowd watched anxiously as Bengaluru FC maintained their two-goal lead for over an hour.
This semifinal also marked Sunil Chhetri’s first start in this year’s Durand Cup. Bengaluru FC made two changes to their lineup, while Mohun Bagan introduced six, with Sahal Abdul Samad spearheading the attack alongside Petratos and Cummings. Chhetri’s early impact, including his expertly taken penalty, highlighted his continued prowess, but Mohun Bagan’s determination ultimately turned the tide.
Manvir Singh’s penalty in the 66th minute, awarded following a foul by Bengaluru’s Colaco, initiated Mohun Bagan’s fightback. Petratos capitalized on the opportunity to narrow the deficit, and Thapa’s crucial goal five minutes from the end ensured the match would be decided by penalties.
Initially, the match was at risk of being postponed due to ongoing protests, which had already led to the cancellation of a much-anticipated derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. However, after appeals from both clubs, the semifinal went ahead as planned at Salt Lake Stadium, enabling Mohun Bagan to continue their pursuit of a record 17th Durand Cup title.
Mohun Bagan now advances to the final, where they will face NorthEast United FC on Saturday. With their eyes set on adding another trophy to their storied legacy, anticipation is high for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown.
