Lee Erwin opened the scoring for Mohun Bagan, but Etyan’s equaliser and a missed penalty ensured a 1–1 draw as both teams advanced to the semi-finals.

Kolkata, September 29: Mohun Bagan SG vs NorthEast United FC’s IFA Shield group-stage fixture ended in a 1–1 draw on Tuesday afternoon at the Mohun Bagan Ground. With a shuffled starting eleven to test all the players before the semi-final, Pedro Benali fielded his team, while Panagiotis fielded his usual players except Miguel and Maclaren, with Samir Zeljkovic and Lee Erwin starting.

Except for the changes in the starting eleven, the match started with nothing much changing or looking crisp, as the game seemed slow from both sides, though some of the moments happened. In the 16th minute, Mohun Bagan SG created a goalbound opportunity when it seemed the breakthrough was about to come, but Chhangte missed the chance.

Samir Zeljkovic passed the ball to Lee Erwin inside the left box. Erwin set up the ball towards the second post for Chhangte, who was positioned close to the goalline, but Chhangte failed to make proper contact with the opportunity.

The match went on with just the ball rolling and moments of action here and there. And before the half-time whistle the Mariners had another opportunity, in the 41st minute, a ball from the left went into the box and a shot was attempted, but Asheer Akhtar made a crucial interception to clear the threat.

Resuming the second half, Mohun Bagan SG got their opening goal. Drazic sent a long ball from the right, which Maclaren received before laying it down for Lee Erwin, who placed the ball into the net to give Mohun Bagan a 1–0 lead.

In the 68th minute, Mohun Bagan earned a penalty through Drazic when he made a quick attack from the left and Dinesh stopped him with a handball. However, Miguel failed to convert the opportunity as Dipesh Chauhan held onto Miguel’s shot.

But a double setback came for Mohun Bagan in the 71st minute. First, Etyan brought the equaliser for NorthEast United FC just after coming onto the field. Splitting Alberto Rodriguez and Rahul Bheke recieving pass from Aman CK Etyan moved into the box and, from the left, sent the ball towards the second post, beating Vishal to make it 1–1.

In the very next minute, Maclaren left the ground with a groin injury, which could be a concern for the Mariners in the upcoming days.

In the 90+4th minute, Mohun Bagan almost got their second goal. On a quick attack, Asish passed the ball to Miguel, who attempted a grounder from just outside the edge of the box, but Dipesh saved it.

The final moments produced more action. Suhail’s shot was saved, but the rebound fell inside the box near the left post. Unmarked, Kiyan Nassiri attempted the second shot, but once again Dipesh proved why Benali had rested Gurmeet Singh.

But the match did not end there. Before the final whistle, NorthEast United earned a free-kick from distance. Alaaeddine stepped up, but his shot went over the crossbar, leaving the match at 1–1 for both teams.

The draw brings the group stage to a close for both sides though Mohun Bagan SG topped the group with goal difference, both NorthEast United FC already securing their place in the semi-finals alongside Mohun Bagan SG. With East Bengal FC and Punjab FC set to face each other tomorrow, the remaining result will decide the semi-final fixtures and complete the picture for the knockout stage.