New Delhi: Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting created history on Thursday by winning the prestigious Durand Cup Football tournament after a gap of 73 years, defeating ONGC 2-1 in the final here.
A half-fit Australian striker Tolgay Ozebey did the star turn for Mohammedan Sporting as he set up the first goal for Antony Soren (36th minute) and then scored another with a brilliant long ranger in the 44th minute.
The century old Kolkata outfit was losing its significance in the context of Indian club football and this victory will mean a lot for its thousands of fans spread across the length and breadth of the country.
The last time Sporting won the Durand Cup was before Indian independence in 1940 by defeating the British army’s Warwickshire Regiment, and the last time they played a final in the capital was back in 1992.
Sporting coach Abdul Aziz had to field Tolgay as his best player Penn Orji was injured and the Aussie striker proved why he is so highly rated in Indian club circuit.
Credit should be given to stopper backs Sandeep Sangha and Luciano Sabrosa for defending doggedly. The Brazilian’s right hand was dislocated and he will be doubtful for at least a month.
ONGC started attacking from the start but their striker Henry Ezeh’s selfishness proved to be their undoing. Henry’s propensity to hold on to the ball tad too long cost ONGC badly as the Nigerian, on a couple of occasions, didn’t release the ball in time for a team mate who was in a better position to score a goal.
Mohammedan Sporting broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Tolgay suddenly switched flanks and started operating from the wide left instead of the right wing.
The Aussie striker raced down the left wing and kept a pull-back for the onrushing Soren who managed to get a touch in the melee before it deflected off a ONGC defender’s heel to find the net.
If Tolgay was instrumental in setting up the first goal, he did one better when his spectacular punch increased the lead for the black-and-white brigade.
In the 44th minute, receiving a ball just outside the 18-yard box, Tolgay kept a powerful angular punch which ONGC custodian Bilifang Narzary failed to save despite a full stretched dive.
ONGC scored a goal in the 56th minute against the run of play when they were awarded a direct free-kick outside the box.
Asim Hassan’s low drive saw Sporting custodian Somnath Khanra fumble. The ball hit his chest and Lavino Fernandes headed home from the rebound.
A disappointed ONGC coach, Caitano Pinho rued the injury to striker Henry in the semifinals and said that was the reason for his team’s 1-2 defeat to Mohammedan Sporting.
Henry looked completely out of sorts and failed to really test Sporting’s defence. The former Air India striker missed a golden chance as the opposition goalkeeper blocked his shot.
That and another opportunity in the 11th minute were the only high points for the Nigerian striker who has found the target for his team regularly in the tournament.
“Henry suffered an injury in the semi-final and was never able to recover. He got knocks on his left ribs and the thigh and wasn’t fully fit for the match,” Pinho said.
“But we had to play him. We didn’t have a choice.”
Henry too said he couldn’t miss the match, as his team needed him.
“The team needed me in the match. I couldn’t have sat this one out. I had trouble chasing the ball and physically I was unable to compete with their defenders due to the injuries,” Henry said.
“But this is part and parcel of the game. There are many times a player plays without being 100 percent fit. I just wish we could have won this game,” he added.
Sporting coach Masood Abdul Aziz Bola said this was a historic win for his team that would stand them in good stead for the upcoming I-League season.
“We have won this tournament after a gap of 73 years. This is a historic win for us and a great honour,” said Bola.
“We are back and now we are ready for the I-League. This win has done wonders for our confidence and has given us much needed momentum for the upcoming season,” he added.
Striker Tolgay Ozbey who provided the assist for the first goal and scored the second said his team had proven that they could win games at this level.
“It’s a great confidence booster for us ahead of the I-League season. We have proven that we can win games against tough opposition and I am really looking forward to the start of the season,” he said. (Agencies)