Indian Super League (ISL) side and defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Punjab FC 6-5 on penalties to advance to the Durand Cup 2024 semi-finals at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Friday. 

In an electrifying quarter-final clash, the game ended in a 3-3 stalemate after regular time, with both sides showing unwavering resolve. Eventually, the Mariners managed to level the score on three occasions and emerged victorious in the penalty shoot-out, thus keeping their hopes of defending the title alive.

Punjab FC initially took the lead with a penalty converted by Luka Majcen early in the first half. Mohun Bagan SG upped the ante soon after conceding and equalised through Suhail Bhat as the first-half ended on level terms.

Substitute Manvir Singh soon turned the tide after the resumption, putting Mohun Bagan SG ahead. However, Punjab FC would go on to regain the upper hand thanks to wonderful strikes from Filip Mrzljak and Pulga Vidal, before another Mohun Bagan SG super-sub Jason Cummings equalised once more in the 79th minute.

Both teams could not find a winner as the match moved to penalties after the end of regulation time.

During the shoot-out, Cummings missed Mohun Bagan SG’s first penalty, giving Punjab FC an early advantage. However, MBSG goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a pivotal save against Croatian defender Ivan Novoselec on the fifth kick, keeping his team in the game.

Greg Stewart later levelled the shoot-out for MBSG. As the penalties continued into sudden death, Melroy Assisi scored for Punjab FC followed by Subhashish Bose converting his spot-kick.

The winning moment arrived when Scottish defender Thomas Aldred  netted the decisive penalty after Kaith’s second crucial save against Denechandram Meetei, ultimately securing the win for Mohun Bagan SG.

Diaz’s injury-time goal helps Bengaluru FC advance 

Jorge Pereyra Díaz scored the decisive goal as Bengaluru FC narrowly overcame Kerala Blasters FC in a tense quarter-final clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday.

Kerala Blasters FC created the first significant opportunity of the match in the 18th minute. Peprah attempted to slot his shot into the far corner, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a crucial point-blank save. Shortly after, Noah Sadaoui found himself in a promising position following a through ball from Adrian Luna, but Sandhu was quick to close him down and block the shot.

Bengaluru FC also had their chances, particularly towards the end of the first half. Díaz unleashed a powerful long-range effort that tested the palms of Sachin Suresh, who had come on for the injured Som Kumar earlier in the game. The ball was eventually cleared away.

The teams were level at the interval, and Díaz had another opportunity early in the second half, connecting with a through ball only to see his shot hit the side netting.

As the game progressed, both teams defended resolutely, and the intensity of the match diminished. With the prospect of penalties looming due to a goalless regulation time, Díaz provided a moment of brilliance.

Bengaluru FC won a corner, which found Sunil Chhetri after Edgar Mendez mishit his header. Chhetri directed the ball towards Díaz at the far post, who struck it on the volley into the top corner, securing victory against his former club.

The Blues will now take on Mohun Bagan SG in the semi-final.

Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FCMohun Bagan Super GiantBengaluru FCPunjab FC