KOLKATA, AUG 22,
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.
