Kolkata: Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club of Bangladesh and former champions Mohammedan Sporting registered contrasting victories on Tuesday to set up the final showdown in the 118th IFA Shield here.
Dhanmondi Club outplayed record 28-time winners East Bengal 3-0 to become the second Bangladeshi outfit after Dhaka’s Mohammedan Sporting to make it to the final.
After missing at least half a dozen chances, a profligate Mohammedan Sporting rode on an extra time goal by Penn Orji (94th) to oust defending champions United SC in the second semifinal.
It was a sweet victory for Mohammedan Sporting and their jubilant fans as this was the first time since 1990 that the five-time winners made it to the final.
East Bengal had won in 1990 after the match was abandoned with the Red & Golds leading 1-0.
Mohammedan last won the title in 1971 when theyhad defeated Tollygunge Agragami 2-0.
The Dhanmondi club, who ousted Mohun Bagan to deny a local derby in the semifinals, continued their fine momentum as their foreigner trio of Nigerian Emeka Darlington (22nd), Haitians Sony Norde (37th) and Wedson Anselme (66th) scored a goal each to complete the rout.
United SC will now take on heavyweights East Bengal in the third place play-off on Thursday.
Playing in front of boisterous home support, the red and gold brigade did not have any chance and had more setbacks in store as they were reduced to 10 players after defender Arnab Mondal was sent off following a double yellow at the fag end of the match.
The defeat was also a double setback for coach Armando Colaco, with EB suffering a group stage exit in the recent Federation Cup, as they resume the I-League on Saturday.
The Dhamondi side will chase history to become the first Bangladeshi club to win the Shield when they take on Mohammedan in the summit clash, also on Saturday. (PTI)
