Durand Cup 2024:
Kaith’s outstanding performance in the shootout, where he made two critical saves, helped Mohun Bagan secure a 4-3 win on penalties after regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw.
Kolkata: Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made several crucial saves during the penalty shootout for the second consecutive match, helping Mohun Bagan secure a 4-3 victory on penalties against Bengaluru FC in their Durand Cup semifinal. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
Jose Molina’s team will face NorthEast United FC in the final on Saturday, aiming to defend their title and continue their dominance in Asia’s oldest football tournament.
Once again, Mohun Bagan’s title defense seemed to be in jeopardy when Bengaluru took a two-goal lead, with Sunil Chhetri scoring a penalty in the 42nd minute and Vinith Venkatesh adding another goal five minutes after the break.
However, a perfectly executed penalty by Dimitri Petratos in the 68th minute gave the defending champions a lifeline. Anirudh Thapa then equalized in the 84th minute with a powerful strike from distance, making it 2-2.
Kaith – who led a similar comeback for his team just five days ago with a couple of saves in a sudden-death win over Punjab FC in the quarterfinals, took center stage once again as another penalty shootout decided the match.
Kaith’s standout performances in consecutive matches came after the Bagan goalkeeper was not included in the list of probables by the new India coach, Manolo Marquez, for next month’s Intercontinental Cup.
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