T&T striker Marcus Joseph notched his tournament-best fifth goal as Mohammedan SC battled past Bengaluru United 4-2 in extra-time after a 2-2 deadlock to reach the final of the 130th edition of the India Durand Cup on Monday.
Bengaluru United got off to a perfect start when Pedro Manzi netted as early as the first minute only for the 30-year-old Joseph who got the lone goal in his team’s quarterfinal win over his previous employers Gokulam Kerala on Thursday last to get Mohammedan on level terms this time in the ninth minute.
Seven minutes before the half-time interval, Faisal Ali fired Mohammedan SC ahead for the first time in the contest, but in the 78th minute Kinshuk Debnath tied up the scores again for Bengaluru United.
Three minutes into time added on Bengaluru United was reduced to ten men when Manzi was shown a red-card and 13 minutes into the first-half of extra time Brandon Vanlalremdika put Mohammedan SC infront again before Nikola Stojanovic added an insurance item, in the 110th minute.
A former W Connection, Central FC and Pt Fortin Civic striker Joseph scored 27 goals in 31 matches for Gokulam and led the club to Durand Cup crown two years ago with a brace against Mohun Bagan in a 2-1 triumph.
The T&T international and his new teammates now await the winners of Thursday’s semifinal between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC in the final which is carded for October 10.