Durand Cup 2024: NorthEast United Stage Dramatic Comeback to Clinch First-Ever Title Against Mohun Bagan

New Delhi: NorthEast United FC executed a fine comeback from two dreams the complete way down to defeat defending champions Mohun Bagan Great Great on penalties, clinching the 133rd Durand Cup in a stress-free final at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

NorthEast United FC won their maiden Durand Cup in a historic moment for the membership, as they lifted their first-ever silverware in Indian football.

The defending champions, Mohun Bagan Great Great, commenced sturdy with a 2-zero lead within the most 1/2 of, courtesy of dreams from Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad. Nonetheless it, the tide shifted within the second 1/2 of when Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Guillermo Fernandez scored for NorthEast to stage the on line sport. Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh played a truly positive objective, saving two penalties at some stage within the shootout, as NorthEast executed an notable comeback.

Teach Juan Pedro Benali accordingly took a calculated probability, lining up with Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Jithin M.S. and Thoi Singh main the assault, even as Spanish duo Guillermo Fernandez and Nestor Albiach warming the bench. Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Hamza Regragui fashioned the Morocco midfield blend, Mayakkannan Muthu enjoying in supply a amplify to to Michel Zabaco, anchoring the defense. In the interim, Jose Molina sent Jason Cummings, Greg Stewart, and Sahal Abdul Samad to the front along with Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh imparting width. Subhasish Bose came lower back into Mohun Bagan’s defence and slotted in along Thomas Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez in a lower back three.

Neither group confirmed reckless ambition within the opening minutes of the on line sport as every and every have been content fabric sitting deep and being affected private. Nonetheless it soon Mohun Bagan acquired in their rhythm. Sahal Abdul Samad was delivered down within the container by manner of Asheer Akhtar, and from the ensuing penalty, Jason Cummings slotted home confidently to offer the Mariners an early lead. With the cease of the most 1/2 of imminent, Mohun Bagan doubled their development. Liston Colaco’s run down the left wing created space for Sahal within the container, and the midfielder executed expertly to make it 2-zero beforehand than halftime.

NorthEast United came with two rapid blows within the second 1/2 of. Jithin M.S played the thru-ball to Ajaraie, who slotted on the underside nook to lessen the deficit. Good away, Ajaraie floated a pinpoint pass for Guillermo Fernandez, whose first-time conclusion left Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith with out a probability. Fernandez’s strike drew the Highlanders stage and shook the home quarter.

Thereafter, NorthEast United puffed at them with electrical potential-sapping strain as their opponents remained at arm’s length. First, Macarton Louis and later Jithin M.S drew sharp saves from Kaith because the Highlanders pressed for a winner. At the foremost huge juncture, then once extra, the correct-laid plans may no longer fetch them the decisive strike because the average and organic tumbled right into a penalty shootout.

Gurmeet Singh was accordingly the hero within the shootout for NorthEast as he saved the spot-kicks of Liston Colaco and Subhasish Bose. Nonetheless it, Vishal Kaith couldn’t replicate his beforehand heroics, letting in Guillermo Fernandez, Michel Zabaco, Parthib Gogoi and Alaaeddine Ajaraie score from the spot. Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh and Dimitri Petratos have been the handiest ones to succeed penalty takers for Mohun Bagan as NorthEast United triumphed to emerge champions within the Durand Cup.