India, Oct. 18 -- On signing as Gremio coach three weeks after presiding over the worst defeat in Brazil's World Cup history, Luiz Felipe Scolari had said he needed a hug. For 31 minutes in the IFA Shield final against East Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giant would have wanted that from their supporters. It took them all night to get that.

By the time Mehtab Singh converted the last penalty that made Mohun Bagan champions, winning the tie-breaker 5-4 after open play ended 1-1, appreciation had replaced anger. As Mohun Bagan players hugged, East Bengal's side of the stands emptied. They had been the better team for most of this derby but East Bengal's substitute goalie Debjit Majumder couldn't make any save in the tie-breaker. So, Jay Gupta's...