Durand Cup: East Bengal tossed victory against Gokulam Kerala on semis!

21st August 2019, VYBK Stadium, Kolkata: Yesterday was a doomsday for the Red & Gold Brigade. East Bengal was minutes away from challenging for the 17th addition of the coveted title on 24th this month. Gokulam’s late penalty saw Marcus Joseph equalise and thereon winning the match to qualify for the finals of the prestigious Durand Cup.
The game started seeing East Bengal as the dominant outfit. Crowds came in numbers and painted the gigantic VYBK into Red and Yellow to cheer for their team. The Red & Gold side fielded with an intent to win which was prominent since the start. Within the 3rd minute, Pintu Mahata’s intended cross to Jaime Colado hit the woodwork. The young gun, who previously plied his trade for arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, displayed some beautiful skills and passes but failed to find the net. However, when the clock ticked the 18th mark, Samad Ali Mallick’s long-range effort, deflected slightly by Mohammad Rashid, found the net and broke the deadlock. Gokulam failed to equalise till the first 45 minutes.
After the break, Quess East Bengal was unfortunate enough to suffer a major setback, when their goalscorer and the reliable defender had to be stretchered out due to an injury. A forced substitution at the early moments of the second half and a couple of others changed the course of the match. East Bengal was doing good in terms of defending their solitary goal lead. Although, as the game proceeded towards the dying minutes, East Bengal’s Mehtab Singh made a terrible mistake where he allowed Henry Kisseka to receive a pass inside the box and turn to shoot. Left with no choice, Mehtab deliberately pulled Henry Kisseka down and took away a red card and his team’s fate. Marcus Joseph rose to the occasion and made no mistake from the given opportunity. The match went on to extra time. Gokulam consolidated their attack against a 10-man QEB team. They launched furious attacks on the opposition half which was magnificently kept at bay by the East Bengal shot-stopper, Mirshad. The score remained unchanged and the match proceeded to penalty shootouts.
Lalrindika, the captain of Quess East Bengal, stepped up and missed the first hit. Bruno, on the other hand, stepped up and scored for the Malabarians. Next on the cards was Jaime Colado, the dependable Spaniard and a key player for East Bengal. To everyone’s utter disbelief, his effort was stopped by Ubaid. Meitei of Gokulam Kerala stepped up next, but his effort was saved and Gokulam was restricted from leading after 2 hits. Next up was Marti Crespi who comfortably netted the ball. His Gokulam counterpart Jestin George replied back as he scored from his strike. Boithang stepped up and kept the hopes of the Red & Gold brigade alive. Lalromawia of Gokulam made no mistake as he scored from the 4th penalty. The 5th and the final lifeline for East Bengal saw Naorem trying to answer, but his effort saw the star performer of the day, Ubaid saving the attempt and clinch a historic victory for Gokulam Kerala FC in the 129th edition of the prestigious Durand Cup.
Thus, Gokulam made an unbelievable come back from being a goal down until 90 minutes. They are now one step behind from the ultimate glory. The Malabarians will lock horns with Mohun Bagan in the grand finale on 24th August, at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata.
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Old but still Gold: Mumbai’s old warhorses can still pull strings on-field
Also Read: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu named the winner of prestigious Arjuna Award
Football Counter would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on your experience: Feedback on Football Counter experience
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Dhanbad Football Academy open registrations for training in Mumbai
With the football season resuming, Dhanbad Football Academy is opening registrations for children within the age group of 10 to 18. Dhanbad Football Academy is an AIFF accredited academy focused…
Indian Super League / Recommended / Transfer News
Indian International Adil Khan to join FC Goa on loan till end of season
32-year-old experienced midfielder Adil Khan is all set to represent FC Goa for the rest of the season on a loan deal. What was believed to be a swap deal…
Mumbai City sign Jackie in a swipe deal for Farukh
The Hero Indian Super League table-toppers Mumbai City FC have confirmed the signing of Jackichand Singh in place of Farukh Choudhary on Saturday, January 23. The Manipuri winger had previously…
Indian Arrows ‘raring to go’ ahead of Hero I-League clash against Neroca FC
All India Football Federation’s developmental side Indian Arrows will face ninth-placed Neroca FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani, West Bengal tomorrow (January 20, 2021). The kick-off is at…
Rahul snatches dramatic late win for Kerala
A late injury-time goal from Rahul KP handed Kerala Blasters a dramatic comeback 2-1 win over heated rivals Bengaluru FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the GMC Stadium…
Churchill Brothers look to consolidate position atop Hero I-League table in clash against Sudeva Delhi FC
Churchill Brothers, who have been on the top of the table for the first three rounds of the Hero I-League, would look to consolidate their position at the peak, when…
Mumbai survive spirited surge by SC East Bengal to win hard-fought three points
Mumbai City FC overcame a tough challenge from SC East Bengal to sneak in a 1-0 win in the Hero Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, here on…
It’s a matter of great pride that we host U-16 and U-19 National Teams, says Mr Vishal Dev
NEW DELHI: Mr Vishal Dev, IAS and Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Services and Tourism, Government of Odisha claimed that hosting India U-16 and U-19 National teams has been a matter…
East Bengal face tall order in Mumbai City to keep unbeaten streak alive
Goa, January 21: SC East Bengal boss Robbie Fowler will have little difficulty in getting across to his players on what’s at stake for them on Friday. Win, and they will…
FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters FC – 3 Key Battles to watch out for
FC Goa are set to lock horns with Kerala Blasters FC at the Goa Medical College Ground in the city of Bambolim. Both the sides come into the clash on…
IKF to dispense free international football exposure for children in India
India Khelo Football (IKF) is a non-profit platform aimed at providing kids from India a fair chance to pursue their dream of playing football internationally. IKF shares its vision to…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
IDBI Bank to hold trials for a central defender
After successfully conducting their first round of trials on 21st November, MDFA Super Division outfit are now looking to conduct another trial in search of Central Defenders. With football resuming,…
Chedda Nagar FC set to conduct trials for MDFA Super Division
Chedda Nagar Football Fanatics will be conducting trials to reform their MDFA Super Division squad. Being established in 2011, Chedda Nagar is a renowned name in Mumbai football. The team…
IDBI Bank to host trials for MDFA Super Division
With football resuming, IDBI Bank will be conducting trials for the upcoming MDFA Season. The team will participate in the Super Division and will be seen conducting their first round…
MDFA / Recommended / Super Division / Trials
Madanpura FA, Sara FA to host trials for the upcoming MDFA season
Sara Football Academy and Madanpura FA to host trials for MDFA Super division & 2nd division and 3rd division respectively on the 19th and 21st of November simultaneously. Sara FA…
FC Hydra to hold trials for women footballers in Bengaluru
FC Hydra will be holding trials for women footballers for the upcoming BDFA A division Women’s league. The club is based out of Bengaluru. FC Hydra will be holding trials…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
NLWS FC to hold trials for MDFA 3rd division
NLWS FC is club based in Dadar who have registered themselves in the MDFA 3rd division for the 2020-21 season. The club will be holding trials for the same. Mauli…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
The Oranje FC to host trials for MDFA Elite Division
The Oranje FC will be hosting trials for the upcoming MDFA 2020-21 season this November. The club will be participating in the MDFA Elite division this season. Established in 2017,…
2nd Division / MDFA / Trials
Sporting Options FC to hold trials for MDFA 2nd Division
Sporting Options Football Club will be hosting trials for the upcoming 2020-21 football season. The team is currently playing in the MDFA 2nd division. Sporting Options FC was established in…
MDFA 1st Division side Madanpura Sports Club soon to host trials
With football gradually returning, Mumbai based Madanpura Sports Club are slated to conduct trials for the upcoming season. Madanpura Sports Club is the Junior team of Bombay Muslims SC, who…