The defending champions of the Durand Cup, Gokulam Kerala have been knocked out of the tournament by the local favourites Mohammedan Sporting Club who have now entered the semifinals of the 130th edition of the prestigious tournament in front of their home crowd at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK). Marcus Joseph who was once a Malabarian and now a Black Panther scored the decisive goal in the first quarterfinal bout at the blink of halftime in the 44th minute. The lone goal was enough to get Mohammedan to the final whistle to see them through to the semi-final.Β
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Mohammedan SC edge past Gokulam Kerala FC to secure their Semi-Final spot πͺπ»β½@MohammedanSC#DurandCup2021 #aiff #cherrytree #MSC #GKFC #JaanJaanMohammedan #BlackPanthers #Malabarians #GKFCMSC pic.twitter.com/esq7NdgBar
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) September 23, 2021
Gokulam has built a well noticeable reputation under their head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese. He made the squad into a well-formed attacking threat as they were the highest goal scoring team in the group stages with 10. During todayβs games against Mohammedan, the midfield and attack of Gokulam didnβt seem up to the task like their usual selves and had no reply to bring the fight back in the game. The game ended 1-0 in favour ofΒ Mohammedan Sporting Club.Β
Mohammedan will now set to gave FC Bengaluru United in their semi-final bout on the 27th of September at the VYBK Stadium. The I-League side has been handed a bye to the semifinals after their scheduled quarter-final tie against Army Red Football Team bowed out of the tournament due to multiple COVID-19 cases in the side.
