Myanmar's Finance and Revenue Football Club (FRFC) tasted success in their maiden appearance on Indian soil when they lifted the crown in the 110th IFA Shield football tournament.
They beat Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan 4-2 via the tie-breaker (overall 5-3) in a nerve-racking floodlit final in Kolkata on Sunday.
After the score-sheet remained blank in the regulation 90 minutes, drama began early in extra-time when Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva (Beto) put Bagan ahead. But the visitors restored parity two minutes from the final whistle.
As the two sides finished 1-1 in extra-time, the match rolled into the tie-breaker. Custodian Prasanta Dora brought cheer back into the Bagan camp by saving the first penalty, taken by Soe Lin Tun. Beto converted the corresponding kick to put the local club in the lead.
But disaster struck Bagan thereafter, as their next two penalties were unproductive. FRFC goalkeeper Aung OO saved Eduardo de Coelho's effort, while Noel Wilson shot wide.
Skipper Myo Hlaing Win and Yan Paing made no mistake in converting the set pieces for FRFC, and though Amit Das netted the fourth shot for Bagan, Soe Myat Min closed the match by putting in the fifth shot to give FRFC an unassailable 4-2 lead and the title.
Bagan's fifth shot, only of academic interest, was not taken.
© 2024 Rediff.com -