Durand Cup 2019 | Gokulam Kerala FC pull off major coup beating East Bengal in penalties
Gokulam Kerala FC stunned East Bengal to book their place in the final of the 129th Durand Cup as they won 3-2 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday. Former East Bengal custodian Ubaid CK starred for Kerala saving shots from Jaime Colado and Naorem Tondomba Singh.
East Bengal failed to impress under Alejandro Menendez as they slumped to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Gokulam Kerala FC in the semi-final of the 2019 Durand Cup. The Kerala-based I-League franchise beat East Bengal 3-2 in tiebreakers after the two teams were locked in a 1-1 stalemate following the extra-time at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon.
The home team got off to a strong start with a goal from Samad Ali Mallick into the 18th minute who scored a superb 40-yard strike. The red and golds looked good to hold on to the minor advantage but Mehtab Singh brought down Mohamed Irshad inside the box in the second-half stoppage time to award Gokulam a penalty which was converted by Marcus Joseph to take the game to extra time.
As the game went into penalties, East Bengal skipper Lalrindika Ralte hit the post with his first attempt while Jaime Colado and Naorem Tondomba Singh saw their attempts saved by former East Bengal custodian Ubaid CK in the Gokulam goal.
For the Kerala side, Bruno Pelissari, Justin George and Lalromawia were on target to win the match 3-2 in penalties. Gokulam march on to the finals of the Durand Cup where they will face the winners of Mohun Bagan and Real Kashmir on Saturday evening.
