Durand Cup: SC Delhi stage comeback to win 5-1; East Bengal beat Indian Army 1-0
On Sunday in the 135th Durand Cup quarterfinals, East Bengal FC defeated Indian Army FT 1-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, while Sporting Club Delhi overturned FC Raengdai 5-1 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi; East Bengal will meet Sporting Club Delhi in a semifinal at Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
East Bengal, the former champions, dominated the first half and created several chances before P.V. Vishnu gave them the lead in the 39th minute by heading home a cross from Christopher Ikonomidis. Indian Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri produced a series of impressive saves to keep the scoreline close, and although East Bengal struggled to convert opportunities after the interval, their defence held firm to preserve the one-goal advantage. The club has recently qualified for AFC Champions League Two.
At the Birsa Munda Stadium, SC Delhi overturned an early deficit to score five second-half goals against debutants FC Raengdai. Chongtham Kishan Singh put the Noney-based Manipur side ahead with a long-range strike in the ninth minute, but Delhi responded after the break.
SC Delhi coach Tomasz Tchorz introduced India under-23 forward Joseph Sunny at half-time, and Sunny scored twice—on 57 and 67 minutes—giving Delhi the lead by the 67th minute. Rodriguinho, Juan Sebastian Pena and Augustine Lalrochana completed the scoring for Delhi, with goals in the 82nd, 90+3 and 90+8 minutes respectively.
Quarterfinal results (as played): At Ranchi: Sporting Club Delhi 5 (Joseph Sunny 57, 67, Rodriguinho 82, Juan Sebastian Pena 90+3, Augustine Lalrochana 90+8) bt FC Raengdai 1 (Chongtham Kishan Singh 9). At Kolkata: East Bengal FC 1 (P.V. Vishnu 39) bt Indian Army FT 0.
Monday’s scheduled matches are: At Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs. Jamshedpur FC (4 p.m.); At Shillong: Shillong Lajong FC vs. NorthEast United FC (7 p.m.).
East Bengal and Sporting Club Delhi will meet in a Durand Cup semifinal at Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday, with both sides advancing from Sunday’s quarterfinal victories.
