Super Cup: East Bengal power past Punjab FC, to meet FC Goa in final

Margao, Dec 4 (PTI) East Bengal produced a performance of grit and ruthless efficiency to book their place in a third AIFF Super Cup final, defeating Punjab FC 3–1 here on Thursday.

It marks their second final of the season, following a narrow IFA Shield defeat to Mohun Bagan SG.

The red-and-gold brigade will meet FC Goa in the final. FC Goa, who played with 10-men for the entire 90-minute duration, beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the second semi-final.

The defending champions were pushed to their limits, but two early first-half goals from Brison Fernandes (20’) and David Timor (23’) proved enough to set up a final showdown with East Bengal.

The match began with remarkable drama even before kick-off as FC Goa captain Iker Guarrotxena was sent off for a pre-match incident in the tunnel, Javier Siverio being brought in as a replacement in the starting XI, at the last minute.

Goa did not lose their resolve despite having lost their leader.

East Bengal dominate ============== East Bengal took the lead in the 12th minute through Mohamad Bashim Rashid before Daniel Ramirez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot on the 34th minute.

But Kevin Sibille (45+3) scored at the stroke of half-time before captain Saul Crespo sealed the match in the 71st minute for Oscar Bruzon's men.

The match began with both sides tense and cautious, feeling their way through a nervy opening. Punjab carved out the first big chance when Pramveer connected with a cross inside the tenth minute, only for his header to be skewed wide.

Missing suspended defender Muhammed Uvais, Punjab looked slightly unsettled at the back, something East Bengal quickly exploited.

In the 12th minute, East Bengal struck from a cleverly worked short corner. Miguel Ferreira's floated delivery was half-cleared, but it dropped perfectly for Mohamad Bashim Rashid just outside the box.

Controlling the ball with an immaculate first touch, he fired a low, powerful shot that squirmed under goalkeeper Muheet Shabir's glove. It was Rashid's first goal for the club, and it lifted the Red and Golds into full control.

The goal jolted Punjab to life, and they pushed forward with greater intent. Their equaliser arrived courtesy of East Bengal's own lapse. An innocuous aerial ball into the box led to a defensive error as Ricky Shabong's header struck Bipin Singh's arm inside the area, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Ramirez stepped forward and dispatched the penalty with calm precision, sending East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill the wrong way. Punjab were level, and momentum briefly tilted.

But East Bengal refused to crumble. Instead, they doubled down on their set-piece threat. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Ferreira delivered another sumptuous corner from the left, and this time Kevin Sibille soared above his marker to thump home a towering header.

The celebrations were wild enough for East Bengal coach Bruzon to receive a second yellow card for overenthusiasm.

The second half saw East Bengal grow increasingly authoritative. They should have extended their advantage in the 56th minute, when Bipin Singh darted down the left and unleashed a fierce shot that Shabir palmed away.

Hiroshi Ibusuki arrived at the far post but couldn't steer his header on target.

Punjab, meanwhile, tried to find inroads through Suhail and Ramirez but struggled to beat East Bengal's disciplined defensive block.

The killer blow arrived in the 71st minute, through a moment of brilliance from Ferreira. Making his way past multiple Punjab defenders inside the area, he squared the ball for captain Saul Crespo, who guided a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. PTI AH AM KHS AM AM