It rained and it rained goals today for Mohun Bagan as they breezed into the final of the Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup 2017 after a 16-year gap. Dipanda Dicka and Ansumana Kromah scored braces to put the Mariners 4-0 ahead against the hapless Mumbai-based outfit and super sub Naro Hari Shrestha added another in the dying stages.
That's all from us today. Until next time, good bye.
88' Another striker on the pitch, one more goal for Bagan. Naro Hari Shrestha has made this a rout by netting Bagan's fifth in the 88th minute. This has become unbearable for the ONGC players now as the Mariners' quality is clearly shining through.
The clock is ticking towards the full-time whistle and both sets of players have already settled on the 4-0 result with the lack of intent towards the end of the match clearly showing. Referee Routh has only a few minutes before blowing the final whistle. As things stand. it's Mohun Bagan 4-0 ONGC.
The fourth goal was Dicka's final contribution as he is taken off for Naro Hari Shrestha in the dying embers of the game. Both Dicka and Kromah scored braces today and neither was allowed to complete their hat-tricks.
83' Dicka scores his second of the afternoon to put the Mariners four goals ahead. It has been a procession today and Bagan have clearly shown their superiority on the pitch. Two goals each for their two strikers also stand them in good stead for the final.
We are into the last 10 minutes of the match as Mohun Bagan are cruising to the final of the 37th Sikkim Gold Cup. With a 3-0 lead against a toothless ONGC, the game is all but done and dusted.
80' Mohun Bagan are not letting up despite being three goals ahead. The Mariners are peppering the ONGC defence with attacks and a fourth goal before the full-time whistle is very much possible. The scoreline reads 3-0 in Bagan's favour.
A bit of history: Mohun Bagan last reached the Gold Cup final in 2001 and they went on to beat Arambagh Krira Chakra in the final 4-0. Could history repeat itself this year?
64' Kromah will not complete his hattrick today as the two-goal hero goes off to be replaced by new signing Yuta Kinowaki. The Japanese will slot into midfield with Dicka playing alone up top.
51' It's still 2-0 to Mohun Bagan who look the most likely to score next. ONGC tried to go on the offensive after conceding early in the 2nd half. However, Kingshuk and co in the Bagan defence hold firm.
47' Kromah gets on the scoresheet this time with a headed goal that came - surprisingly - from a long throw-in. The Mariners are in cruise control now.
40' At the 40-minute mark, the scoreline still reads 1-0 in Bagan's favour. In all honesty, the Green and Maroons should've been 3-0 up only for the profligacy of Dicka.
35' Dicka has been the real star so far but this time his effort from outside the ONGC penalty area is parried by Bilifang Narzary, who only manages to push it to Kromah's path. The Liberian, however, misses the target from the rebound.
24' Dicka, the most prominent attacker in the match so far, puts the Mariners ahead after a fine assist by Sk Faiaz. Bagan lead 1-0 as we reach the 30th-minute mark.
24' The conditions aren't helping either team at this stage as the game slows down with very little end-to-end action on show. Dicka has been the main striker so far.
17' Dicka has already had 2 attempts on goal but the former Shillong Lajong striker has so far failed to trouble the scorers. Bagan take control of proceedings but the scoreline still reads 0-0.
Hello and welcome to our live score and updates of the Sikkim Gold Cup 2017. This is not a live commentary but only a score and event update because of certain technical issues.
Today, Mohun Bagan take on ONGC in the semifinal of the tournament.
Mohun Bagan reached the semi-finals of the 37th Sikkim Gold Cup (also known as the Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup) by defeating Tibetan NSA today thanks to a last-second winner scored by Libyan Midfielder Ansumana Kromah courtesy of an accurate cross by Dipanda Dicka.
The tournament began six days back with Sikkim Himalayan thrashing ARC Shillong 6-1 in the tournament opener to progress to the quarter-finals.
That's all from us today. Until next time, good bye.