ISL semis: Hernandez's late strike upsets Mohun Bagan in first leg

It's half-time in this semi-final but after Thursday's 2-1 win in Jamshedpur, Khalid Jamil, the only Indian coach to make the play-offs, is now a draw away from playing his first cup final of the Indian Super League (ISL).

- Dhiman Sarkar

KOLKATA: It's half-time in this semi-final but after Thursday's 2-1 win in Jamshedpur, Khalid Jamil, the only Indian coach to make the play-offs, is now a draw away from playing his first cup final of the Indian Super League (ISL). This was Mohun Bagan Super Giant's first defeat in 2025 and only their third in ISLII after 25 matches.

The league shield winners are unbeaten at home and Jamshedpur FC will miss key players on Monday but few ISL teams know how to suffer and surprise like Jamil's men. Few can sit deep and frustrate opponents and hit on the break like the men in red.

"The players have worked very hard. They knew the importance of this game. I didn't have to motivate them," said Jamil.

A strong claim for a penalty turned down, Jamshedpur FC led through Javier Siverio's 24th minute header before Mohun Bagan levelled from a brilliant Jason Cummings's free kick in the 37th minute. Javi Hernandez, who will be 36 in June but ran like he was 10 years younger, made the visitors pay for missed chances with an excellent finish in 90+1.