Five Federation Cup classics in the I-League era

East Bengal 3-2 Mohun Bagan (2007 semi-final)

Subrata Pal made some vital saves for East Bengal in this memorable derby

Both the giants had been given scares on their road to the semi-finals of this edition which took place in Ludhiana. While Mohun Bagan needed extra time to beat ONGC in the round of 16, East Bengal saw off the challenge of hosts JCT in a five-goal thriller. A mouthwatering semi was in prospect and the arch-rivals lived up to the hype with India captain Bhaichung Bhutia starting the excitement by putting Mohun Bagan in front after just 12 minutes. East Bengal keeper Subrata Pal was at fault for Mohun Bagan’s opener but his counterpart at the other end Sangram Mukherjee was soon caught off guard by Surkumar Singh’s strike as the red-and-gold brigade equalised. It was end-to-end action after that but it was East Bengal who went in front through Dipendu Biswas. The striker’s snapshot took a deflection off Peter Odafe and beat a helpless Sangram.

East Bengal led at the break but with their defence not looking assured a third goal was mandatory and it arrived just two minutes after the interval as Ashim Biswas went past a couple of Mohun Bagan defenders and found the back of the net. The Mariners had a mountain to climb at 3-1 and even when they created chances Subrata kept denying them. There was no stopping Jose Barreto though as the Brazilian pulled one back to set up an exciting final 20 minutes. But Subrata was in inspiring form as he produced a couple of world class saves to ensure East Bengal’s passage into the final which they went on to win. It was their only trophy under the coaching of Mohun Bagan legend Subroto Bhattacharya.