On head to head, Mohun Bagan lead 7-2 against NEUFC with one being a draw. In their last meeting, Mohun Bagan had defeated NEUFC 4-2 in the ISL last season.
Durand Cup final, MBSG vs NEUFC: Catch all the updates of the summit clash between Mohun Bagan SG and NorthEast United from Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata
On head to head, Mohun Bagan lead 7-2 against NEUFC with one being a draw. In their last meeting, Mohun Bagan had defeated NEUFC 4-2 in the ISL last season.
Ahead of the all-important final, the Highlanders was visited by a high-profile visitor.
It feels great to play successive finals. We gave our 100 per cent and made a great comeback after the two-goal deficit. Full credit to the team to score the two crucial goals and bring the match to the tie-breaker," Kaith said.
“NorthEast is a very good team. We have seen that throughout the tournament. They have good wingers. But we have full confidence in our boys and we will give our best on the pitch tomorrow.”
- Jose Molina, Mohun Bagan coach
“We have come to enjoy the final. We will try to do our best while playing against a very good team. We have nothing to lose and we will try to give out absolutely everything. We do not want to keep anything in the dressing room.”
- Juan Pedro Benali, NorthEast United coach
Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata is packed to the rafters.
Only a matter of time that the final begins! And we are off.
Jithin MS, who is a live-wire on the left-wing, runs down the wing and tries to cross in the ball but MBSG's Alberto clears it away.
Penalty!!!!! MSBG are awarded a penalty after Sahal Abdul Samad is brought down by Asheer Akhtar. What a start to the final.
Jason Cummings puts the spot-kick away with ease as he sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. MBSG lead the final 1-0 against NorthEast United FC. The crowd goes crazy. 'Cometh the hour, Cummings the man!'
Jithin MS is looking the best player on the field for NEUFC. He takes a long-range effort but it goes well wide.
NEUFC defence are all at sea against Greg Stewart of MBSG. What a goal that would have been if the ball would have been behind the net.
NEUFC defender is receiving treatment and we have a stoppage in play.
Jithin MS is a man possessed. His artistry and speed on the left-wing has the MBSG defence on their toes. He crosses a ball but it has been called off-side.
Mohammed Ali Bemammer seems to be injured and is going to be replaced soon. However, the Moroccan player refuses to come off.
Mohammed Ali Bemammer finally walks-off and his replaced by Néstor Albiach Roger.
NEUFC's Mayakannan is booked for a foul on MBSG player and is receiving treatment.
Sub- Alberto Rodriguez, is now subbed off and Ashish Rai takes his spot.
MBSG's Manbir Singh has a look and hits it first time at the NEUFC goalie but the latter makes a good save.
Five added minutes in the first-half.
Another goal and Mohun Bagan are leading by two goals in the final. Sahal Abdul Samad, who assisted for the first goal, has now scored his side's second.
MBSG go into the break leading 2-0 and NEUFC have all to think about.
Subs - NEUFC bring on Guillermo whereas Mohun Bagan replace Sahal with its star forward Petratos.
A poor free-kick routine from NEUFC that does not go anywhere and the ball ends up the NEUFC half.
The Highlanders are back and how! What a goal from S Ajaraie. NEUFC trail by one goal now and sets up nicely for the rest of the half.
Whaaaat!!! Guillermo has levelled things up for the Highlanders. What a finish from the Spanish international. It's 2-2 in Kolkata. And we have a game on.
The Highlanders are all over MBSG in the final. They overlap, getting into the final third and challenging Kaith .
Kaith has kept the home team in the final with yet another fantastic save off Jithin, who takes a right-footed kick on the volley. NEUFC are building on attack after attack.
Not a substitution that the NEUFC fans will be pleased with but their pacy forward Jithin MS is subbed off for Gogoi.
Guillermo with another chance and smells blood in the MBSG half. But lack of force in it sees Kaith get hold of it comfortably.
If there isn't a winner at Full-time, the game will go into the penalties.
Players are getting cramped up and it seems one of the NEUFC players has felt the heat. But all the formalities are done and we get underway.
Dinesh is being subbed off by the Highlanders and on comes Robin.
What a chance for NorthEast United FC as Vishal Kaith tries to be clever and tries to chip the ball over the NEUFC players but hands it straight to them. However, Nestor kicks straight into Kaith's hands.
What a game we have been served here in Kolkata. Three minutes left plus the stoppages. And we speak, Petratos takes a long-range effort but it goes well wide.
Four minutes of added time for either side to find a winner.
The referee blows the whistle and it's penalties. A great first-half from MBSG with goals from Jason Cummings and Abdul Sahal Samad but the Highlanders fought back with goals from S Ajaire and Guillermo to level things up.
There seems to be some confusion with the referee and the NEUFC captain. Still not sure what the issue is. Finally, we get things underway but Zabaco and the ref still argue.
Jason Cummings first to take the spot-kick. And he misses it. Wow, would you believe it. Wait, he has been given another chance to kick. And awards a yellow-card to NEUFC bench. He buries it. Phew!
Guillermo Fernandez buries it without any trouble and it's 1-1.
Balbir Singh puts the goalie the wrong way as he gives MBSG 2-1 lead in the penalty shootout.
Miguel Zabaco ignores the comments from Vishal Kaith and scores. 2-2!
Gurmeet! What a save from the NEUFC gk! Liston Colaco MISSES HIS one!
Parthib Gogoi scores! It's 3-2 to the Highlanders.
Petratos scores and it's 3-3. Phew, what a final!
S Ajaire scores and gives NEUFC 4-3 lead in the penalty shootout.
Skipper Subashish misses and Gurmeet the hero saves and gives the Highlanders the final! NorthEast United wins its first-ever trophy, the Durand Cup, in Kolkata
What a save from Gurmeet and hands the trophy to the Highlanders. Most of the fans in the stadium are silent but the NEUFC fans, who have travelled, are clapping and shouting. Jubilant scenes in the NEUFC camp and so it should be.
Golden Boot: Noah Sadaoui
Golden Glove: Gurmeet Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu are announced as joint-winners.
Best Player: Jithin MS gets the award for the best players
And that brings us to a close of this wonderful final. NorthEast United deserve every bit of accolation they receive, just for the way they fought back in the second-half.
Indian Super League (ISL) 2024/25 season starts from 13 September 2024. Till then, it's good bye.