Mohun Bagan Super Giant edged past Jamshedpur FC 9-8 on penalties after being locked 1-1 in regulation time to reach the semifinals of the 135th Durand Cup at Salt Lake Stadium here on Monday.
Sahal Abdul Samad put Bagan ahead in the second minute, but Devendra Murgaonkar equalised towards the end of the first half. With the tournament regulations having no provision for extra-time, the quarterfinal went straight to a penalty shootout.
Both teams converted their first five attempts, forcing sudden-death. The first 16 kicks were successful before Jamshedpur’s young Lawmsangzuala saw his effort saved by Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith when the teams were tied 8-8. Tekcham Abhishek Singh, then, converted the decisive penalty.
Bagan struggled in the attacking third and managed to keep only eight shots on target despite making 24 attempts at the opponent goal. Jamshedpur, which announced the dissolution of the club during the tournament, put up a spirited fight with an all-Indian team but sadly had to bow out.
Defending champion NorthEast United FC advanced to the semifinals with a 5-2 comeback win over Shillong Lajong FC in the fourth quarterfinal at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong.
Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored a hat-trick, his second of the tournament, while Spaniard Etyan Gonzalez and Jithin M.S. added one each.
Shillong Lajong led 2-1 at half-time. However, NorthEast United came back strongly and set up a semifinal clash with Bagan at the same venue on Thursday.
The results: Quarterfinals: At Kolkata: Mohun Bagan 1 (Sahal Abdul Samad 2) drew with bt Jamshedpur FC 1 (Devendra Murgaonkar 45). Bagan won 9-8 on penalties.
At Shillong: NorthEast United FC 5 (Alaaeddine Ajaraie 11, 58, 69, Etyan Gonzalez 55, Jithin M.S. 79) bt Shillong Lajong FC 2 (Figo Syndai 20, Joao Morais 34).
