Mumbai City reached the final of the Indian Oil Durand Cup defeating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 in the first semi-final at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. With Mohammedan Sporting’s exit, the local interest ends in Asia’s oldest tournament. ATK Mohun Bagan and Emami East Bengal had bowed out after failing to clear the group-stage hurdle.

Bipin Singh scored the all-important goal in the final minute of regulation time, courtesy Lallianzuala Chhangte’s assist. Mohammedan Sporting dominated for large parts, but Mumbai clinched the deal when it mattered. Last year’s runners-up rattled the debutants in the first 15 minutes, winning as many as three corners and the likes of Pritam Singh and Sheikh Faiaz looked dangerous.

Mumbai soon took control and forced three corners in about five minutes. Mourtada Fall got a chance to score but Ousmane Ndiaye was up to the task at the heart of the Mohammedan defence. The best chance of the half came to Gurkirat Singh when Bipin drove in from the left and crossed but the burly Mumbai forward failed to tap in from close.

Mohammedan Sporting began the second half with the same vigour and just five minutes in, the ball fell kindly for Abhash Thapa after a lovely team move involving Marcus Joseph and Faiaz. Thapa, however, failed to test rival keeper Phurba Lachenpa with a horribly mistimed connection.

Mumbai had a good chance to take the lead when Greg Stewart played a one-two with Gurkirat and broke inside to shoot at the goal but Zothanmawia probably brought off the save of the tournament to deny the Scotsman. There was no let-up in the Mohammedan Sporting attacks though as they came close thrice in five minutes.

Just as everyone thought that the match would go to extra-time, Stewart spotted a Chhangte free-run on the right flank and played him. The diminutive winger dashed inside the box and played square for an onrushing Bipin to tap home.

Today’s match: Bengaluru FC vs Hyderabad FC (Live on Sports18 1 from 6pm)