Five Federation Cup classics in the I-League era

East Bengal 3-2 Dempo (aet) (2012 final)

Trevor Morgan got the perfect birthday present

East Bengal had toiled their way into a fourth successive final as besides the come-from-behind wins against ONGC and Kalighat MS in the group stage, the red-and-gold brigade also needed extra time to get past Churchill Brothers in the semi-finals. I-League holders Dempo had a more routine passage to the final including a solid 2-0 victory over Salgaocar in the semis. The Goan club had won five league titles under Armando Colaco but only one Federation Cup crown. Thus the former India coach was determined to win it this time and they crucially took the lead just after the halftime break through former India skipper Climax Lawrence. It was for the fourth time in the tournament that East Bengal had conceded first and just like the previous three occasions they responded through an unlikely goal scorer, Arnab Mondal.

Neither side was keen on having extra time and searched for the winner in the 90 minutes but it never arrived as chances were missed at both ends. Lalrindika Ralte had netted an extra time winner in the semi and once again the Mizoram youngster made an impact in the additional 30 as his shot was saved by Dempo keeper Subhashish Roywchowdhury but Manandeep scored from the rebound. Edeh Chidi made it 3-1 in second half extra time after a quick counter attack but a Dempo side filled with winners and internationals was never going to give up and veteran defender Mahesh Gawli pulled one back two minutes later to set up a nervy finish. In the end East Bengal held on as coach Trevor Morgan lifted his second Federation Cup title on his 56th birthday.