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Mohammedan Sporting Club edged past Minerva Punjab FC 2-1 in the second semifinal to book their place into the final of the 70th Independence Cup in Nagaon, Assam.
Ghanaian goalmachine Phillip Adjah (44th, 61st) scores twice for the Black Panthers while Atinder Mani (79th) pulled a goal back for Minerva Punjab FC at the Nurul Amin Stadium on Friday.
Mohammedan Sporting dominated first-half ball possession, but did not do much to threaten the opposition goal, while Minerva Punjab FC, who were pressed back for the majority of the half, did well to absorb the pressure and looked dangerous on the few times they attacked.
The first-half was characterized by a lack of goalscoring opportunities from both sides. In the infant stages of the game, Mohammedan Sporting had shown promise with some impressive passes, but when they resorted to long balls, Minerva Punjab FC dealt with them with confidence.
However, the Black Panthers were rewarded for their persistent efforts as Adjah ran on to a pass from Prosenjit Chakraborty and rifled a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy in the 44th minute to give his side the lead going into the breather.
Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Priyant Singh was a spectator in the first-half, but he saw more action in the second, keeping out an angled drive from William Opoku before twice having to punch away awkward aerial balls as Minerva Punjab FC began to put more pressure on the Mohammedan Sporting defence looking for the equaliser.
On the other hand, tbe Black Panthers, as the half progressed, started to find their rhythm again putting Minerva Punjab FC under a sustained period of pressure and after several near misses Adjah put the finishing touch on an organised advance from the team.
Meanwhile, Minerva Punjab FC did not lose hope as they kept attacking with intensity and pulled a goal back through Atinder Mani in the 79th minute.
The match started to become a little tenser as the clock counted down with Minerva Punjab FC showing great determination in their pursuit of an equaliser, while Mohammedan Sporting remained solid at the back.
Minerva Punjab FC, to their credit, never gave up but it appeared as if getting on the scoresheet just wasn’t to be for the side today with every shot went anywhere but on target as Mohammedan Sporting held on on for a well-deserved win.
Mohammedan Sporting will now take on BSF of Jalandhar in the final tomorrow at 6pm.
