Kolkata: The Indian Army Football Team staged a spirited second-half comeback to beat Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-1 in the final Group B fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.
A dramatic stoppage-time winner from Shafeel P.P. completed the comeback after P. Christopher Kamei cancelled out Lalthankima’s stunning first-half strike, helping Indian Army finish top of Group B with a perfect nine points from three matches and seal a place in the quarterfinals.
Indian Army needed only a draw to secure top spot, while Mohammedan SC required a win to keep their knockout hopes alive. The Black and White Brigade started brightly and looked the more attacking side in the opening exchanges.
Israfil Dewan sent an inviting cross from the left inside the opening two minutes, but there was nobody in the box to apply the finishing touch. Soon after, Lalthankima delivered a delightful cross to the far post, where F. Lalremsanga struck the upright. Bhabindra Malla Thakuri was then called into action to parry another long-range effort from Lalthankima.
Mohammedan continued to dominate possession and came close to taking the lead in the 12th minute after a quick transition. However, Indian Army goalkeeper and captain Thakuri raced off his line and produced an excellent piece of anticipation to deny Lalremsanga.
The Army side gradually settled into the game and created its first meaningful chances through Christopher Kamei. The midfielder floated a dangerous ball into the penalty area, forcing Juwel Ahmed Mazumder to concede a corner, before testing goalkeeper Shubhadip Pandit with a fierce effort from distance.
Indian Army continued to grow into the contest, with Kamei orchestrating attacks from midfield. A well-worked move involving Shubham Rana and Shafeel P.P. created another opening in the 23rd minute, but Kamei failed to keep his effort on target after a clever cutback.
Mohammedan responded with fluent attacking play of their own. Lalremsanga produced a moment of brilliance before Lalngaiahsaka fired over from the edge of the area, while right-back Rahul Naskar made several important defensive interventions.
Indian Army came close to breaking the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when Samir Murmu failed to direct the ball towards goal after Pandit had come off his line to disrupt the attack.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 34th minute. Lalthankima collected the ball on the left flank, cut inside with dazzling footwork and unleashed a superb right-footed strike into the top-left corner, leaving Thakuri with no chance and giving Mohammedan a deserved lead.
The Black and White Brigade remained composed for the rest of the half, controlling possession and preventing Indian Army from creating clear-cut chances. Murmu tried his luck from distance deep into stoppage time, while Lalngaiahsaka tested the defence from a tight angle, but Mohammedan went into the interval 1-0 ahead.
Indian Army returned from the break with greater urgency, but Mohammedan’s defence, marshalled by Arpit Chhetri, continued to frustrate the Services side.
The equaliser came in the 59th minute through a slice of fortune. Kamei unleashed a powerful long-range strike that took a decisive deflection off Mohammedan defender Pukhrambam Dinesh Meitei, struck the post and rolled into the net beyond the helpless Pandit.
The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Indian Army’s favour. Pawar Abhishek Shankar almost completed the comeback after breaking into the box, but Naskar and Pandit combined brilliantly to deny him from a difficult angle.
Indian Army continued pushing for a winner. Substitute Liton Shil combined neatly with Abhishek Shankar, whose subsequent effort lacked the power to trouble Pandit. Murmu also fired over after a long throw as the Services side enjoyed sustained spells of possession.
Mohammedan remained dangerous on the counter and nearly regained the lead in the 81st minute when substitute Maharabam Maxion raced through on goal. Thakuri bravely charged off his line and collided with both the forward and his own defender to avert the danger.
Indian Army kept pressing for the decisive goal. Substitute Abhi S. Biju won a corner after an energetic run down the right, while Alan Thapa’s ambitious long-range effort sailed over as both sides continued to battle fiercely in midfield.
The decisive moment arrived in the first minute of stoppage time. Shafeel P.P. unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that took a slight deflection on its way past Pandit and into the net, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Indian Army players and supporters.
The victory gave Indian Army a flawless Group B campaign, with three wins from three matches and nine points, securing their place in the quarterfinals as group winners. Mohammedan SC, meanwhile, bowed out of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after recording one win and two defeats.
Thursday’s Matches - August 13
With IANS inputs