In a thrilling culmination of the 133rd Durand Cup, NorthEast United FC etched their name in Indian football history by claiming their inaugural title. The Highlanders overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the formidable Mohun Bagan in a dramatic penalty shootout at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The final match ended 2-2 in regulation time, setting the stage for a nail-biting shootout that would decide the champion.
The match was a captivating tale of two halves. Mohun Bagan, led by coach Jose Molina, dominated the first half, taking a commanding lead through goals from Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad. Cummings converted a penalty in the 11th minute after a defensive error by NorthEast United FC’s Asheer Akhtar, while Samad capitalized on a well-executed move by Liston Colaco to score in stoppage time.
However, the Highlanders, coached by Juan Pedro Benali, showcased their resilience in the second half. They turned the tide with two quick goals after the restart. Alaaeddine Ajaraei scored in the 55th minute, followed by a powerful volley from Guillermo Fernandez just three minutes later. Fernandez, who came on as a substitute for Thoi Singh, proved to be a game-changer, providing the spark that NorthEast United FC desperately needed.
Mohun Bagan, who had appeared complacent after their strong first half performance, struggled to defend their lead and were forced into a defensive scramble. NorthEast United FC continued to press forward, and Jithin MS almost put them ahead in the 68th minute with a powerful volley that was saved brilliantly by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. The game remained locked at 2-2, sending the match into a tense penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Gurmeet Singh, the NorthEast United FC goalkeeper, emerged as the hero. He made several crucial saves, including a remarkable stop against Liston Colaco in the third round and a decisive block against Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose on the fifth attempt. NorthEast United FC’s successful conversions came from Guillermo Fernandez, Miguel Zabaco Tome, Parthib Gogoi, and Alaaeddine Ajaraei. Jason Cummings, Manvir Singh, and Dimitri Petratos scored for Mohun Bagan, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory.
The win marked a historic moment for NorthEast United FC, a club established just a decade ago and owned by Bollywood actor John Abraham. The emotional victory was made even sweeter by the presence of a passionate home crowd of Mohun Bagan fans at the Salt Lake Stadium. It was a testament to the team’s unwavering spirit and their ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
Gurmeet Singh’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him the Golden Glove award, while Kerala Blasters’ Noah Sadaoui received the Golden Boot. However, the true prize was the Durand Cup trophy, which NorthEast United FC lifted for the first time, forever etching their name in the annals of Indian football history.
