In a thrilling semifinal showdown of the Durand Cup,
Struggles in the Midfield
The match began with both teams grappling for control in the midfield, hampered by wet conditions that made passing sequences challenging. As a result, both sides frequently resorted to long balls in an effort to penetrate the opposing defense. The first significant opportunity came midway through the first half when Liston Colaco's free-kick forced a remarkable save from NorthEast United's goalkeeper, Gurmeet Singh. Shortly after, Kiyan Nassiri opted for a shot from a tight angle instead of passing to teammates in the box, but his attempt only found the side-netting.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie nearly broke the deadlock with a volley that skimmed past the post after he controlled a high ball from a set-piece. The wet pitch made it difficult for either team to execute their game plan, leading to a reliance on set-pieces, with both teams earning three corners in the first half. Just before halftime, Sahal Abdul Samad attempted a long-range shot while Gurmeet was backpedaling, but the goalkeeper managed to recover and thwart the effort, leaving the scoreline unchanged at the break.
Missed Opportunities and Penalty Drama
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. NorthEast United came close to scoring when Ajaraie narrowly missed connecting with a low cross from Abdul Rabeeh. Ajaraie was again involved in the action, delivering a cross that Etyan Gonzalez failed to direct on target. Despite NorthEast United appearing to have the upper hand in terms of chances, clear opportunities remained scarce, with Macarton Nickson also coming close but hitting the side-netting.
With the match ending in a stalemate, the teams proceeded to a penalty shootout. After both sides successfully converted their first three penalties, the tension mounted. Robin Yadav's fourth attempt for NorthEast United was brilliantly saved by Vishal Kaith, who then watched as Jamie Maclaren converted his penalty to give Mohun Bagan the lead. Kaith's second save against Parthib Gogoi sealed the victory, propelling Mohun Bagan into the final against East Bengal FC.
