Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club failed to make history as they narrowly lost the IFA Shield final in the tie-breaker against Kolkata Mohammedan at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Haitian playmaker Sony Norde gave Sheikh Jamal the lead but veteran Indian defender Mehrazuddin equalised for the home side. After some late drama, the fate of the match fate had to be decided in spotkicks where Kolkata Mohammedan prevailed 4-3.
Kolkata Mohammedan coach Sanjay Sen took a gamble by substituting his number one goalkeeper Luis Beretto for Nasim Akter a few minutes before the end of extra-time and it paid off as Nasim produced two consecutive saves to ensure the trophy.
The local Black-and-White outfit claimed their sixth IFA Shield trophy after reaching their first final in 24 years.
Norde put Sheikh Jamal ahead in the 27th minute with a brilliant 25-yard freekick as his curling attempt entered the top-left corner after he was brought down by Rakesh Mashi from behind.
Rahim Nabi of Kolkata Mohammedan wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in the 33rd minute as he failed to connect the ball from a goalmouth melee following a Nirmal Chhetri freekick from the left flank.
Mehrazuddin though brought parity just before the first-half interval. The unmarked defender placed the ball home after his teammate, Brazilian Josimar, outmuscled his marker and used his shoulder to take control of a Nirmal long-pass and laid the ball down to Mehrazuddin who made no mistake.
Norde again came close to scoring his second in the 67th minute but his powerful shot from the edge of the box was well blocked by Kolkata Mohammedan custodian Beretto.
Kolkata Mohammedan also came close to taking the lead through Penn Orgi who was unable to score in the 70th minute after receiving a pass from Rahim. Penn saw his shot from the edge of the box fly over the crossbar.
The game sprang to life in the 82nd minute through a controversial moment. Norde was shown a straight red card for an alleged foul on Brazilian Luciano, who was actually the one challenging Norde. The Brazilian was also sent off as he was deemed to be acting after going down easily.
Another Haitian, Wedson Anselme, could not give Sheikh Jamal the lead in the 94th minute as his low header off a Nasir cutback went over the bar.
Yamin Munna produced a game-changing save in the 95th minute after Josimar broke through Sheikh Jamal’s defence. Penn’s shot evaded the Sheikh Jamal custodian but Munna stood tall to deny Kolkata Mohammedan.
In the 30 minutes of extra-time, Sheikh Jamal tried hard to score as Wedson wasted a couple of chances and eventually, the match went to the tie-breaker.
Kolkata Mohammedan’s substitute keeper Nasim produced two consecutive saves to seal the prestigious trophy after 42 years in the club’s history. Sheikh Jamal’s substitute keeper Ziaur Rahman also saved one shot but it made no difference as Nasim saved Mohammed Linkon’s fifth and Didarul Islam’s sixth shots after the scoreline read 1-1 with the conclusion of extra-time.
RESULT
Kolkata Mohammedan 1 (4) v
Sheikh Jamal DC 1 (3)
-With New Age input
