Gokulam Kerala FC goalkeeper Ubaid C.K. produced two crucial saves in the tie-breaker to see his team get the better of local favourite East Bengal 3-2 and progress to the final of the 129th Durand Cup. The first semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday saw Kerala FC score an injury-time equaliser (90+4) and hold on for 120 minutes of regulation- and extra-time.
East Bengal went ahead midway in the first half through Samad Ali Mallick, who produced a spectacular long-ranger much to the joy of the home fans. The host almost appeared to be cruising home preserving the lead but Gokulam showed the fortitude in trying till the end and found the opportunity at the death earning a penalty in the second minute of the added time. Marcus Joseph found the net from the spot to ensure the extension of the match before his colleagues got their act together in the penalties as the extra-time failed to break the deadlock.
East Bengal was reduced to 10 men after the penalty as the referee gave its stopper-back Mehtab Singh marching orders for bringing down the Kerala side’s Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka.
Ubaid, who moved over to Kerala FC this year after spending two seasons with East Bengal, came up with the heroic act for his new employer in the penalties stopping the attempts of East Bengal forward Jaime Santos Colado and midfielder Tondomba Singh.
This effectively secured the result in favour of the visitor, which showed better application and scored three of its four attempts. Bruno Pelissari, Justin George and Lalromawia were on target for Kerala FC while Malemnganba Meitei’s attempt was saved by the East Bengal custodian K. Mirshad.
Showing better nerves and anticipation under pressure Ubaid stopped two shots while the attempt from Lalrindika Ralte, who took the first try for East Bengal, came off the upright. Marti Crespi Pascual and Boithang Haokip were the two making successful attempts for East Bengal.
The result (semifinals):
Gokulam Kerala 1 (Marcus Joseph 90+4-pen) drew with East Bengal 1 (Samad Ali Mallick 18). Gokulam won 3-2 on penalties .
Mohun Bagan 3 (Salva Chamorro 42, Suhair V.P. 93, 112) bt Real Kashmir FC 1 (Gnohere Krizo 90+3).
