NorthEast United FC comeback registered quarter-finals spot
NorthEast United FC powered their way into the quarter-finals of the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup with a 3-1 win over Downtown Heroes FC.
The Highlanders made a comeback over the inexperienced debutants through three scintillating strikes in the second half after suffering an early setback.
For the Highlanders, goals from Ibson Melo in the 48th minute, Captain Romain Philippoteaux in the 52nd minute and substitute Parthib Gogoi in the 78th minute, ensured an authoritative win after an early setback in the eighth minute from Parvaj Bhuiya of Downtown Heroes FC.
Highlights of the game
The home side kicked off the first half with a lot of steam, but failed to capitalize on the momentum. After a failed attempt in the sixth minute through Hira Mondal the Highlanders could not breach the final third of their opponents.
However, Downtown Heroes lapped up the only chance and shocked the hosts by getting past through Parvaj Bhuiya after a howler from keeper Mirshad in the 8th minute of the game.
Thereafter the Downtown Heroes FC pressed hard in through Ezekiel and Parvaj, but a careful Mirshad ensured that the debutants did not get a chance to double their lead.
The first half came to an end with Downtown Heroes leading 1-0.
The Highlanders returned in the second half The game changed resulting in an equalizer by Brazillian Ibson Melo who made no mistakes at the chance that came his way, to find the back of the net in the 48th minute. A high ball inside the box found his feet from the head of Spaniard Zabaco.
NorthEast continued to attack and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, when a miss-pass from Downtown Heroes outside the box saw the captain Romain Philippoteaux make no mistake in finding the back of the net.
The next twenty odd minutes saw the Highlanders dominate, but they failed to convert any chances that came their way.
However wonder boy Parthib Gogoi showcased his class once again taking out three defenders with a solo run into the box to smash in Northeast’s third goal in the 78th minute.
The game then saw Downtown Heroes make some hapless attempts to reduce the deficit but a vigilant NorthEast defense ensured there are no last-minute surprises.
NorthEast United FC who are part of Group D are second in the group with seven points behind FC Goa on goal difference.
Both FC Goa and NorthEast United FC have sealed their quarter final berths from Group D.
Mohammedan SC dominant performance help win over Jamshedpur FC but fail to qualify for the quarters
David Lalhlansanga scored four goals and Krirangan. F. Lalremsanga scored the other two goals in Mohammedan Sporting Club’s dominating 6-0 victory over Jamshedpur FC, but they narrowly missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals in the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup played at the Kishore Bharati.
Highlights of the game
Mohammedan, who needed a big win to confirm their place in the knockouts, started with an attacking intent with Bikash Singh sending a free header above the crossbar. It was one way traffic in the middle with Mohammedan continuously attacking the young Jamshedpur side and putting them under pressure.
Uzbek playmaker Mirjalol Kasimov was controlling proceedings in the middle and his intelligent pass produced the first goal. Lalremsenga’s first time finish gave the lead for the local side in the 10th minute of the game.
Lalremsanga doubled his team’s advantage five minutes later. Kasimov released Alexis Gomez and the Argentinian’s looping cross was finished between the legs of Jamshedpur keeper Mohit Singh Dhami by Remsanga for his second goal of the game.
The home side were in no mood to slow down as they were looking to score from every move. Mohammedan went three ahead before the 30 minute mark.
David Lalhlansanga continued his good form in the tournament, scoring in the 28th minute. An inch perfect cross from Alexis Gomez from the right wing was diverted into the goal by David for his third goal of the tournament.
Mohammedan continued their barrage of attacks and attempts were in plenty from the attackers with Alexis Gomez and Zodingliana came close to scoring.
On the other end, Ashley Koli was the only bright spot showing his skills but he was closed down by the Mohammedan defenders as there was no support for him upfront.
Mohammedan could have had a fourth goal before the break but Zuidika’s header came back off the post. They continued the same way attacking the young side from Jamshedpur but the young Red Miners were more organized in defence.
The Red Miners started to threaten going forward and earned themselves a penalty as Ashley was fouled. He took the resultant penalty but it was saved brilliantly by Mohammedan keeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte.
Mohammedan scored their fourth soon through David as he rounded the goalkeeper and finished calmly after receiving a through ball from Kasimov. Jamshedpur’ best chance was an effort from distance from Armash Nazir Ansari was saved on to the post by the Mohammedan keeper.
David Lalhlansanga completed his hat trick in the 82nd minute. Substitute Prince Opoku found David inside the box and the striker dribbled past two defenders and finished past Jamshedpur keeper Mohit Singh Dhami.
Mohammedan continued to attack needing two more goals to qualify for the knockouts but were kept in check by Mohit Singh Dhami who pulled off a couple of good saves.
The side from Kolkata got their sixth goal soon through David again, his fourth of the match. Jamshedpur’s failed clearance fell on the path of the striker who finished setting up an emphatic climax.
It did not end up as the Black Panthers could not find the decisive goal that would have taken them to the quarterfinals. Alexis Gomez, Prince Opoku and Ganesh Besra missed chances to score as they went out after coming agonsingly close to qualifying.
Mohammedan SC needed to win by seven goals to qualify for the knockouts and as a result, Mohun Bagan Super Giant qualified for the quarterfinals as the second best runner up.
Mohammedan finished Group B with six points from three matches while Jamshedpur FC finished their campaign with three points from three matches.
One thought on “Durand Cup 2023: David’s Poker couldn’t send Mohammedan through, NorthEast Qualify”