Real Kashmir’s inspired run in the Durand Cup came to a halt on Wednesday as Mohun Bagan, unlike arch-rivals East Bengal, managed to cross the semi-final hurdle.
Courtesy the 3-1 win in the day’s second semi-final at the Salt Lake Stadium, Bagan booked a date with Kerala FC in the summit clash, to be played on Saturday.
At one point, it looked as if Bagan would go the East Bengal way and bow out of the tournament. While East Bengal lost their one-goal lead in 93rd minute against Kerala FC, Bagan conceded the equaliser in the second minute of added time.
East Bengal went on to lose in a shoot-out, but Bagan managed to crawl out of the crisis, winning the match in extra time. And for that, Bagan would thank substitute Suhair VP, who scored the second and third goals, with assists from Fran Gonzalez, another substitute. For the record, Suhair is the only Indian to score for Bagan so far this season.
Latching on to a wonderful through ball from Gonzalez, who came in as a replacement for Joseba Beitia in the 74th minute, Suhair was calm enough to find the target, though there was some deflection off the advancing Real Kashmir goalie. That made it 2-1 for Bagan.
Bagan could have lost the lead a second time had Fran Morante not made a goal-line clearance in the 100th minute. But Suhair, coming in place of Alexander Romario Jesuraj, sealed the game as he scored his second, once again off a Gonzalez assist.
Bagan coach Kibu Vicuna certainly played his cards well. If not for those couple of changes, you never know which way the game could have gone. Bagan were sharp and precise from the onset with superior ball possession. That put pressure on the Kashmir team and Bagan took the lead via Salva Chamorro’s 41st-minute strike.
Gurjinder Singh’s cross from the left found Salva after a faint deflection off Morante, who tried to back-head it towards the striker. Completely unmarked, Salva slammed home a right-footer.
Credit should go to Morante too as his attempted back-head created a little bit of confusion in the rival defender’s mind, who in the process, left Salva unguarded with the target just 10 yards or so away from him.
Till that goal, Beitia led from the front putting the Real Kashmir defence under all sorts of pressure. Within the first quarter, he unleashed a long ranger that was negotiated brilliantly by goalkeeper Phurba Tempa Lachenpa.
Five minutes after the half-hour mark, Beitia played a fantastic one-two with Nongdamba Naorem and with a half turn, churned out another fine shot that was just a few yards wide of the vertical.
Post change of ends, Surabuddin Mallick’s moves from the right flank twice came close to doubling Bagan’s lead. But Alexander couldn’t quite execute on both occasions.
It was then that Real Kashmir started gaining a bit of foothold. They kept pressing for an equaliser and eventually restored parity when Gnohere Krizo headed home off Loveday Enyinnaya’s floater.
Bagan goalie Sankar Roy too was partly responsible for the goal as he needlessly advanced, giving Krizo an open net to do the needful.
Nevertheless, thanks to Suhair and Gonzalez, Bagan didn’t have to pay much for that momentary lapse.
Meanwhile, the initial team list featured coach David Robertson’s son and defender Mason’s name in Real Kashmir’s starting XI even though the player hadn’t been registered for the tournament. Bagan lodged a protest and Mason’s name was removed.
Vicuna now is one win away from his first trophy in India.
Tactical superiority
Vicuna lauded his wards for showing character and rising to the challenge. He also praised Suhair for his match-winning performance.
“We played really well in this game. Suhair scored before things could become tighter. Our players showed character and raised their game when needed the most.
“I think tactically, we were superior and better in all aspects of the game,” the Spaniard said.
Bagan have barely two days to recover before the big final. “It’s very challenging, but also part and parcel of the game. We’ll be ready,” said Salva, who sustained a cut on his right foot.
