Mohun Bagan Super Giant Survive Jamshedpur FC in Marathon Shootout to Reach Durand Cup Semifinals

Mohun Bagan Super Giant booked their place in the semi-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after surviving a dramatic penalty shootout against Jamshedpur FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday.

The quarter-final finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Sahal Abdul Samad giving Mohun Bagan an early lead before Devendra Murgaonkar equalised for Jamshedpur just before half-time. Neither side could find a winner in the second half, sending the contest into a marathon penalty shootout.

What followed was one of the most dramatic shootouts of the tournament.

Mohun Bagan eventually prevailed 9-8 on penalties, with the shootout going deep into sudden death. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith produced the decisive moment when he saved Lawmsangzuala's effort before Tekcham Abhishek Singh converted the winning penalty to send the Kolkata side into the last four. Mohun Bagan will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC in the semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on August 20.

Mohun Bagan could hardly have asked for a better start. The hosts took the lead inside the second minute after Pronay Halder's pass towards Rashithoi Meetei was not controlled properly. Sahal Abdul Samad reacted quickly to the loose ball, drove into the penalty area and calmly placed a low finish into the bottom-right corner.

The early goal gave Mohun Bagan confidence, and they immediately began pressing with greater intensity. Tekcham Abhishek Singh and Subhasish Bose provided width from the flanks, making regular overlapping runs and forcing the Jamshedpur defence to remain alert.

Jamshedpur gradually settled into the match, however, and began enjoying longer spells of possession.

Their first significant opportunity arrived in the 17th minute when Lalrhriatpuia Chawngthu found Aman CK with a well-weighted through ball. Aman timed his run perfectly but, shooting from a tight angle, was denied by an excellent near-post save from Kaith. Jamshedpur came close again eight minutes later when Chawngthu's free-kick delivery found Pratik Chowdhary at the far post. His effort, however, sailed over the crossbar.

Mohun Bagan miss chances to extend lead

Mohun Bagan had opportunities of their own to establish a two-goal cushion. In the 27th minute, Sahal and Liston Colaco combined down the right before Sahal picked out Dejan Drazic at the far post. The Serbian had a free header from close range but failed to keep his attempt on target. Six minutes later, Drazic had another opportunity, this time attempting to connect with a first-time volley after Abhishek's cross from the right. Again, he could not make clean contact.

Mohun Bagan continued to push for a second goal and came close once more in the 37th minute. Sahal squared the ball towards Lalengmawia Ralte, but his effort from the edge of the box flew over the bar. Those missed chances would prove costly. Jamshedpur found their equaliser right on the stroke of half-time.

Rashithoi collected the ball outside the Mohun Bagan box and found enough space to shoot from distance. Kaith could only parry the attempt, and Devendra Murgaonkar reacted quickest to finish from close range.

The teams went into the interval level at 1-1.

Jamshedpur began the second half with greater intensity and pressed higher up the pitch. Aman CK remained a constant threat, using his pace and quick feet to trouble the Mohun Bagan defence. The hosts created an opportunity in the 49th minute when substitute Samir Zeljkovic produced a clever outside-of-the-boot pass to find Sahal inside the box. Sahal cut inside but curled his effort over the crossbar.

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Two minutes later, Alberto Rodriguez rose to meet Kiyan Nassiri's corner but could not direct his header on target. The contest remained open, with both teams looking to attack whenever possession allowed. Zeljkovic tried his luck again in the 61st minute, cutting inside from the left, but his effort lacked the curl needed to trouble Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes.

Then came one of Mohun Bagan's biggest missed opportunities. In the 63rd minute, Albino ventured well outside his goal but failed to clear the ball. Sahal nicked possession away from him and squared it towards Liston, who had the goal at his mercy. But Liston could not control the chance and the opportunity disappeared.

Jamshedpur responded three minutes later. Aman again sliced through the Mohun Bagan defence before setting up Sanan Mohammed, whose first-time effort went high and wide. The final stages became increasingly tense. Both teams pushed forward, but neither could find the decisive opening.

Substitute Sayan Banerjee almost made an immediate impact in the 79th minute when he beat his marker down the left and drilled a low cross towards Jamie Maclaren. The Australian forward could not quite direct the ball towards goal. Mohun Bagan continued searching for a late winner. Deep into stoppage time, Sayan tested Albino from distance and forced the Jamshedpur goalkeeper into a smart save. The resulting corner came to nothing, ensuring that the quarter-final would be decided from the penalty spot.

The penalty shootout was an extraordinary test of nerve. The first 16 kicks of sudden death were converted, keeping both teams alive deep into the contest. Eventually, Lawmsangzuala stepped forward for Jamshedpur but saw his penalty saved by Vishal Kaith. The responsibility then fell to Tekcham Abhishek Singh.

He made no mistake. The successful penalty sent Mohun Bagan through 9-8 and sparked celebrations at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The victory keeps Mohun Bagan's Durand Cup campaign alive and sends them into the semi-finals after a quarter-final that demanded patience, resilience and composure under pressure.

For Jamshedpur, the defeat came after a disciplined performance in which they recovered from an early setback and pushed the match all the way to the limit.

But ultimately, it was Mohun Bagan who held their nerve when it mattered most. Now, the Mariners turn their attention to the semi-final and another step towards lifting the Durand Cup.