Mahindra United in Durand final

Mahindra United coach Shabbir Ali was wearing a 'Bolero' cap, and like the company's latest utility vehicle, the team moved into overdrive just when needed to defeat last year's runners-up and 15-time Durand Cup champions East Bengal 7-6 in sudden death to move into the final of the 113th edition of the tournament, in Delhi on Wednesday.

The teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regular time and neither could score the golden goal. They were level at the end of the penalty shoot-out at 5-5. Then, in sudden death, Falguni Dutta's shot was saved by Mahindra custodian Virender Singh, and Khalid Siddique slotted in the next kick, triggering celebrations in the Mahindra camp.

This was Mahindra United's third entry into the Durand final. They defeated East Bengal in the 1998 final and finished second to the same team in 1991.

Mahindra almost won the match during regulation time itself, but their injury time jinx continued as Isiaka Aowemy scored in the last minute of the three-minute injury time to push the match into extra-time.

In their quarterfinal match against Mohun Bagan too, they conceded a goal in injury time to concede a draw.

East Bengal coach Naimuddin gave Sheikh Sanjib a place in the starting eleven but the striker failed to live up to expectations and was replaced by Bijen Singh after 30 minutes.

Mahindra meanwhile did not make any experiments.

The match started off on a fast clip and Mahindra United were on the attack straightaway. Two quick attempts by Venkatesh and Manjit Singh rattled the East Bengal defence before they scored in the 10th minute through Manjit Singh.

Overlapping left back Anthony Pereira, who had an excellent match, darted down the flank and crossed to outside left Abbas Ali Rizvi, positioned inside the box. Rizvi's floater found an unmarked Manjit Singh, whose angular header beat Sangram Mukherjee to give Mahindra an early lead.

But with the arrival of Bijen Singh, East Bengal looked a completely different side. He and Suley Musah played up and down. When Musah stood back, Bijen penetrated the Mahindra defence with his piercing runs and vice versa.

In the 18th minute Aowemy went inside the box but only managed to shoot straight to the goalkeeeper. Soon after Dipak Mondal, who braved a head injury to play with a bandage, set up a good chance. But Chandan Das's shot was just above the cross bar.

East Bengal's bad luck continued as a Sur Kumar Singh shot struck the post in the 28th minute. The best of all the chances that East Bengal missed was the fumble by international Carlton Chapman. Fed by Bijen Singh, he had an open cage in front, but blasted wide.

The second half was comparatively dull with only sporadic attempts from either side. Mahindra's crowded their defence with the midfield too falling back. East Bengal could not afford to go all out into the attack. This worked in Mahindra's favour as they managed to block the rival attack till Aowemy struck seconds away from the final whistle.