Suhail bhat

Mohun Bagan Super Giant: Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) downed a valiant Punjab FC 6-5 in sudden-death penalties, to make the semifinals of the 133rd Durand Cup, after both sides ended a thrilling quarterfinal clash 3-3 in regulation time at the Tata Steel Sports Complex stadium here on Friday. Scottish defender Thomas Aldred scored the final penalty for the Mariners to beat keeper Ravi Kumar’s effort and secure victory in what was a see-saw battle.

The Shers struck first through a Luka Majcen penalty early in the first half only for MBSG to go ahead courtesy of two strikes on either side of the half-time whistle by Suhail Bhat and Manvir Singh.

Croatian midfielder Filip Mrzljak and Argentine forward Norberto Vidal then scored in succession to give Punjab the lead again only for Australian Jason Cummings to restore parity in the 79th minute as the game went to tie-breakers given there was no provision for extra time.