Dany Bowes of the Proteas broke the deadlock in the match with his 20th minute strike, effecting a brilliant left-footer. Building on the lead, lanky striker Tasleem Paulse doubled the scoring in the 39th minute, netting the ball in off Bowes with a remarkable piercing flick inside the box.

Santos registered their third goal of the match through Gregory Michael in the 59th minute. After falling way behind, Mohun Bagan finally reduced margin to an extent through an excellent header from Bhaichung Bhutia in the 66th minute, with Jose Barreto playing the assist inside the box.

Ishfaq Ahmed then pulled things back again for the Kolkata side, unleashing a fantastic left-footer from just outside the box after getting hold of a long ball from Peter Siddiqui. Substitute Jarren Maultree finally sealed the opposition’s fate by scoring off a smart left-footer to make it 4-2.

Santos FC was clearly the superior side technically and in all other aspects. The team’s speedy operation both with and off-the-ball, along with excellent organisation in gaining numerical advantage in the attacking-third, simply tore off the Bagan defence in the first session.

But the home team bounced back after the break courtesy Ishfaq Ahmed’s inspiring performance. The striker was unfortunate when his brilliant right-footer rebounded off the crosspiece in the 55th minute.

In the other semi-final clash, Mahindra United defeated Churchill Brothers 5-3 (1-1) in thrilling tie-breaker played out at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat. The match ended 1-1 after regulation-time and even extra-time failed to break the deadlock.

Mboyo Iyomi drew first blood for Churchill Brothers through an accurate, direct 20-yard curling free-kick in the 69th minute that saw off Mahindra United custodian Vinay Singh’s diving effort. A minute later, Mahindra’s Indian international striker Manjit Singh equalised, executing a perfect header from inside the box off a Stephen Dias’ floater from right.