Shillong, August 20, 2026: Mohun Bagan Super Giant booked their place in the final of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup after defeating defending champions NorthEast United FC 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless second semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith emerged as the match-winner once again, making two decisive saves in the shootout to send the Mariners into a blockbuster Kolkata Derby final against East Bengal FC on August 23.
Both teams made two changes to their starting line-ups. NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali brought in defenders Soraisham Dinesh Singh and Pramveer Singh, while Mohun Bagan coach Panagiotis Dilimperis handed starts to Samir Zeljkovic and Kiyan Nassiri.
Heavy rain and a slippery surface made it difficult for either side to dominate possession in the opening half. Long balls and set-pieces became the preferred attacking route as both teams struggled to create clear chances.
Mohun Bagan registered the first shot on target when Liston Colaco’s free-kick forced a fine save from Gurmeet Singh. Kiyan Nassiri also came close but fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
NorthEast United’s best first-half opportunity came through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, whose volley from a set-piece drifted narrowly wide. Just before the break, Gurmeet produced another important save to deny Sahal Abdul Samad’s ambitious long-range attempt.
The second half remained evenly contested. NorthEast United looked the more threatening side, with Ajaraie almost connecting with a dangerous low cross from Abdul Rabeeh around the hour mark. Etyan Gonzalez later headed over from another Ajaraie delivery, while substitute Macarton Louis Nickson also struck the side-netting from inside the box.
With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match went straight to penalties.
The shootout stayed level after the first three penalties from both sides. Kaith then saved Robin Yadav’s fourth attempt before Jamie Maclaren converted for Mohun Bagan. Kaith completed the job by denying Parthib Gogoi with NorthEast United’s fifth penalty, sealing a 4-3 shootout victory.
Mohun Bagan will now meet East Bengal FC in the Durand Cup final, setting up one of Indian football’s biggest rivalries on the tournament’s grandest stage.
