Kolkata: In a strong contested all-ISL semi-final encounter , FC Goa make their way ahead Bengaluru FC into the finals of the 130th edition of Durand Cup into finals , wining 7-6 on penalties, after the sides were held in a 2-2 draw in the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday , September 29.
Christy Davis took the deciding spot-kick in sudden death which saw the Gaurs through as Damaitphang Lyngdoh missed for Bengaluru FC, after both teams were tied 4-4 after the first five stipulated spot-kicks.
Bengaluru FC had a dream start to the game, with Siva Shakti finding the net in the first minute itself, shocking Naveen Kumar under the bars. FC Goa who were missing out key players like Brandon Fernandes, Seriton Fernandes and Glan Martins , had difficulty in getting hold of the game.
However, in seven minutes Devendra Murgaonkar easily slotted in a smartly taken corner by teenage talent Muhammed Nemil, giving Goa the needed equalizer and scoring his fifth for the tournament. Thereafter, it was the Gaurs, totally dominating tie, however, a lot of wasteful goalmouth action from Edu Bedia and Nemil deprived Goa of any advantage going into the break.
Goa kept their momentum in the second half, before substitute Redeem Tlang gave the side an extension in the 72nd minute, when he put past a sublimely played ball by Alberto Nougera Ripoll who pierced the ball through the Bengaluru defense. A non-giving up Bengaluru found the equalizer 11 minutes later through, Siva Shakti himself who put past Naveen a powerful cross by Namgyal Bhutia.
With no more goals even in the extra time, the tie went to penalties, where Davies’ shot in the sudden death after Damait’s miss paved the Gaurs’ way into finals.
FC Goa will be facing the local team Mohammedan Sporting on October 3 as their final hurdle to get their hands on the prestigious Durand title in Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan itself.
