Ten-man Bagan reach Shield final

A 10-man Mohun Bagan beat Chirag United 5-4 on penalties at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday to move into the final of the IFA Shield. This,after a moment of madness from Edeh Chidi had seen Bagan go a player down as early as the 10th minute. Chidis Zidanesque headbutt on rival defender Eduardo Chacon saw him getting sent off and the latter getting a booking.

Coach Karim Bencherifa made up for the loss by moving K Kulothungan up and by reorganising his midfield and defence.

Bagan goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee,who came in only a minute before the final whistle,replacing Shilton Paul,justified his coachs faith by saving Jayanta Sens shot in the shootout. It turned out to be the difference. All five players from Bagan Marcos Pereira,Rakesh Masih,Snehashish Chakrabarty,Sur Kumar Singh and James Singh converted their shots.

For Chirag,PC Lalawmpuia,Eduardo,Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Subhashish Roy Chowdhury were on the mark.