In a pulsating encounter filled with drama and late goals, East Bengal FC booked their place in the final of the Super Cup 2024 by defeating Punjab FC with a 3-2 scoreline. The high-stakes semifinal match was held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
A Match of Twists and Turns
The game exploded into life early, with East Bengal seizing the initiative. Their star striker, Cleiton Silva, broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, giving the Red and Gold Brigade an early advantage. However, Punjab FC, showing remarkable resilience, fought back. Madih Talal became the architect of the equalizer, delivering a perfect cross for Wilmar Jordan Gil to head home in the 24th minute, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.
The second half continued the intense back-and-forth battle. East Bengal regained their lead in the 64th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Nandhakumar Sekar, who finished with precision. Just as it seemed East Bengal might see out the win, Punjab FC's Luka Majcen stepped up in the 88th minute, converting a crucial penalty to make it 2-2 and force the match into extra time.
Extra Time Heroics Seal the Final Berth
With the match seemingly destined for a penalty shootout, the decisive moment arrived deep into added time of the extra period. In the 120+2nd minute, Mahesh Singh Naorem emerged as the hero for East Bengal. He latched onto a through ball and kept his composure to slot it past the goalkeeper, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory and sending his team into the final.
The match was not without its physical toll and disciplinary actions. Punjab FC's Melroy Assisi received a red card in the 71st minute, forcing his team to play a significant portion of the match with ten men. East Bengal's Himanshu Jangra also saw a yellow card during the tense clash.
Road to the Final and Looking Ahead
This victory sets up a summit clash for East Bengal FC, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC. The final is scheduled to be played on January 21, 2024, at the same venue in Bhubaneswar.
For Punjab FC, the dream of a Super Cup final appearance ends in heartbreak despite a valiant effort, especially after fighting back twice in the match. Their focus will now shift back to the Indian Super League (ISL) season. East Bengal, under coach Carles Cuadrat, will be aiming to lift the Super Cup trophy and add a major piece of silverware to their illustrious history.
