Rahul Giri
Mohun Bagan Super Giant held their nerve in a thrilling IFA Shield final on Saturday night, defeating arch-rivals East Bengal FC 5-4 in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of action-packed football ended 1-1. This was the Green and Maroon brigade’s 21st IFA Shield win, providing a much-needed boost to the fans amidst recent unrests.
Action-Packed First Half Sets the Tone
The contest at Yuva Bharati Stadium began at a furious pace. Mohun Bagan created opportunities in the seventh and 24th minute. A promising sequence saw Sahal Abdul Samad capitalise on a loose ball from Anwar Ali, setting up Jamie Maclaren and then Jason Cummings, but Maclaren’s final shot drew a sharp save from East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. Sahal was again denied by an onrushing Gill after receiving a fine through from Cummings.
The biggest chance for Mohun Bagan came in the 31st minute, when Anwar Ali conceded a penalty by pulling Maclaren inside the box. However, Jason Cummings squandered the opportunity, firing his shot over the bar, much to the disappointment of the Bagan faithful.
East Bengal immediately capitalised on the let-off. Against the run of play in the 35th minute, Mahesh Naorem latched onto a through from Mohammed Rashid. Naorem’s low cross found Hamid Ahadad, who slotted the ball in. The Red and Gold brigade could have extended their lead, with Ahadad hitting the crossbar once and missing the target on another occasion.
The drama wasn’t over. Just before the break, Mohun Bagan equalised through a stunning strike from Apuia. Sahal found Liston Colaco inside the box. He quickly set up Apuia. The midfielder hammered the ball into the inside top bar, leaving Gill with no chance.
Tactical Second Half and Extra Time
The second half was played with equal intensity, though both sides showed growing caution as the clock neared 90 minutes. A key moment arrived in the 61st minute, marking the introduction of Mohun Bagan’s Robson Robinho for Cummings, setting up an intriguing Brazilian duel against East Bengal’s Miguel Ferreira. East Bengal also brought on three substitutes, including debutant Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki (6’5″), replacing Hamid.
Ibusuki almost made an instant impact, heading a free-kick from Ferreira, but a sharp save from Vishal Kaith kept the scores level. In stoppage time, Gill maintained his composure to neutralise Mehtab Singh’s close-range effort off a Robson free-kick, forcing the match into extra time.
The 30 minutes of extra time were tense, with chances scarce. Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina replaced Maclaren with Dimitrios Petratos in a search for a breakthrough.
This derby held unique significance for Mohun Bagan, serving as a platform to appease fans who have been protesting the club’s decision to withdraw from the AFC Champions League game against Sepahan SC in Iran. East Bengal fans in the stands even unfolded a banner mocking that decision.
Kaith and Mehtab Seal the Title
With the score remaining locked at 1-1, the Final went into a penalty shootout. East Bengal replaced Gill with the experienced Debjit Majumder, who has played in numerous derbies.
Both sides converted their opening penalties, including a strike from Mohun Bagan’s Robson that deflected off Debjit’s palm. The turning point came when Mohun Bagan keeper Kaith saved Jay Gupta’s shot. Dimi then scored for Mohun Bagan, putting them 4-3 ahead. Ibusuki hit the target to keep East Bengal alive, but Mehtab Singh held his nerve for Mohun Bagan to convert the decisive spot-kick, sealing the shootout 5-4.
The Mohun Bagan stands erupted in celebration as the club lifted its 21st IFA Shield trophy.
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