The defending champions will face the winner of the second semifinal between East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC in the final. Punjab FC were tested by an intense Mohun Bagan press in the opening stages but remained compact and organised. The first chance came in the third minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte’s effort took a slight deflection, but Arshdeep Singh kept his composure to collect.
Punjab FC went down narrowly 3-4 on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant to end their campaign at IFA Shield on Sunday. The Shers stayed competitive throughout 120 minutes and came close to finding the breakthrough on several occasions before Mohun Bagan prevailed in the shootout.
Manglenthang Kipgen provided an attacking outlet on the left, while Patrick Bahanack headed a free-kick over in the 21st minute. Bishu Sharma then made a strong run before setting up Alfred Moya on the right side of the box in the 27th minute, but Moya’s grounded effort went narrowly wide. Mohun Bagan remained dangerous, with Chhangte meeting Samir Zeljkovic’s cross with a powerful first-time volley in the 39th minute. Arshdeep was well positioned to make the save and hold on. Punjab FC carried their composure into the second half, with Muhammed Suhail making an immediate impact after coming on at the break. In the 48th minute, Suhail beat two defenders inside the box before shooting on the turn and narrowly missing. The Shers continued to defend with discipline as Mohun Bagan looked to create through the middle. Punjab then came within inches of taking the lead in the 61st minute when Moya met a cross from the right with a glancing header that struck the roof of the net. Mohun Bagan produced a rare attacking opening four minutes later when Zeljkovic’s first-time effort from the edge of the box sailed over. Erwin’s dangerous free-kick in the 79th minute was then blocked by the Punjab wall. Punjab stayed alive in the shootout after Raphael Messi Bouli and Arshvir Singh converted their penalties, while Vishal Kaith saved Ngarin Shaiza’s effort and later denied Vishal Yadav.
Having weathered the early spell, Punjab FC grew into the contest after the opening 15 minutes, enjoying longer periods of possession and creating more opportunities in the final third. Punjab came close again 10 minutes later when Moya and Sharma combined inside the box, with Sharma’s low shot taking a deflection into the hands of Vishal Kaith. Muheet Shabir also kept Punjab in contention by saving Dezan Drazic’s penalty, while Rishikanta Meitei converted to make it 3-3.
