The Durand Cup final began with a tense atmosphere between NorthEast United FC & Mohun Bagan Super Giants, as nerves were evident from both teams in the opening minutes. Despite a cautious start, it was Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Mariners, who found their rhythm first. An early breakthrough came when Sahal Abdul Samad was brought down inside the box by Asheer Akhtar, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Jason Cummings stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, slotting the ball past NorthEast United FC’s goalkeeper, Gurmeet Singh, to give the Mariners an early lead.
The Highlanders struggled to find their footing in the opening half, appearing disorganized and unable to create meaningful chances. Jithin M.S. was the lone standout performer for NorthEast United, making several dangerous runs down the left flank, but he received little support from his teammates. The Mariners’ defense had no trouble clearing out his attempts. To make matters worse for the Highlanders, Mohammed Ali Bemammer had to be substituted due to an injury, compounding their difficulties.
The first half clearly belonged to Jose Molina’s side, and they solidified their advantage deep into injury time. Liston Colaco found space on the left wing and surged into the box, deftly maneuvering past Dinesh Singh before poking the ball to an unmarked Sahal Abdul Samad, who expertly finished past a diving Gurmeet Singh. With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Mariners appeared well on their way to retaining the Durand Cup title.
However, the Highlanders came out for the second half with renewed vigor. Coach Juan Pedro Benali made a critical substitution by bringing on Guillermo Fernandez, while Dimitri Petratos was introduced for Mohun Bagan to add more attacking options. NorthEast United FC looked revitalized from the start, with Jithin M.S continuing his attacking exploits from the first half and Nestor Albiach taking control of the midfield. Jithin’s goal-bound effort was blocked by Subhasish Bose early in the half, setting the stage for an exciting turnaround.
Within a span of just three minutes, the Highlanders shocked the Kolkata crowd by leveling the score. Jithin M.S set up Alaaeddine Ajaraie at the edge of the box, and the Moroccan midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Moments later, Ajaraie turned provider, delivering a precise cross to Guillermo Fernandez at the far post. The Spanish forward made no mistake, connecting with a first-time volley that left Vishal Kaith rooted to the spot as the ball rippled the net for his fifth goal of the tournament.
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With the score now tied at 2-2, the Highlanders continued to dominate proceedings. They relentlessly pushed for a decisive goal, leaving the Mariners’ defense and midfield in disarray. Both Macarton Louis and Jithin M.S unleashed thunderous efforts that tested Vishal Kaith, keeping the Mariners on the back foot throughout this phase of the match. The defending champions, who had looked so composed in the first half, now seemed a shadow of their former selves.
Despite creating several clear opportunities, NorthEast United FC could not capitalize on them to find a winning goal. The Mariners, on the other hand, struggled to create any meaningful chances, with Dimitri Petratos’s left-footed shot, which narrowly missed the goal, being their only notable attempt in the second half. As neither team could break the deadlock, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, it was Gurmeet Singh who emerged as the hero for the Highlanders. The goalkeeper made crucial saves against Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose, while Vishal Kaith was unable to replicate his heroics from earlier rounds. All four penalty takers for NorthEast United FC – Guillermo Fernandez, Michel Zabaco, Parthib Gogoi, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie – converted their spot kicks with confidence. Meanwhile, only Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh, and Dimitri Petratos found the back of the net for the Mariners.
This dramatic victory marks NorthEast United FC’s first-ever silverware since the club’s inception, a testament to their resilience and fighting spirit. For the Mariners, it was a heartbreaking defeat, having held a two-goal lead for much of the match. The Highlanders’ triumph not only adds a significant milestone to their history but also underscores the unpredictable and thrilling nature of football.
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