East Bengal into Durand Cup final after penalty shootout win

East Bengal FC reached the final of the 135th Durand Cup on Wednesday at Salt Lake Stadium, beating Sporting Club Delhi 5-3 on penalties in the first semifinal. The match remained goalless after regulation time and proceeded directly to a penalty shootout under tournament rules.

East Bengal dominated the attacking third but failed to convert several clear openings during the 90 minutes. Tournament regulations did not provide for extra time, which meant the outcome was decided by spot-kicks after the goalless draw.

In the shootout East Bengal converted all five of their attempts, while goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill saved Sporting Club Delhi’s first penalty from Juan Sebastian Pena. That save gave East Bengal the advantage which they maintained to secure a 5-3 victory on penalties.

Early in the match Edmund Lalrindika’s clever back-heel in the third minute released Jesin into the box, but Bipin narrowly missed with his cross. Basim Rashid struck the crossbar with a free-kick in the 16th minute and Jesin T.K. hit the right post three minutes later.

Sporting Club Delhi were awarded a spot-kick in the 33rd minute after Rodriguinho was brought down by East Bengal defender Sandip Mandi, but Gill denied Rodriguinho from the penalty spot. After the interval East Bengal continued to press while SC Delhi defended resolutely.

Basim Rashid hit the left post again in the 74th minute after his shot took a deflection, bringing the tally of East Bengal efforts that struck the woodwork to three. Despite sustained pressure and those chances off the frame, neither side could break the deadlock in regulation time.

The penalty shootout settled the contest and sent East Bengal into the Durand Cup final for the 28th time. Semifinal: East Bengal FC 0 drew with Sporting Club Delhi 0 (East Bengal won 5-3 on penalties).