Rodriguinho Hits Five on Debut as SC Delhi Dominates Defenders FC 7-0 in Durand Cup

Brazilian forward Rodriguinho scored five goals on his Durand Cup debut as SC Delhi swept past Defenders FC 7-0 in Ranchi, while East Bengal secured a 5-0 victory over South United FC in Kolkata.

Brazilian forward Rodriguinho produced a remarkable Durand Cup debut, scoring five goals to lead SC Delhi to a 7-0 victory over Sri Lankan side Defenders FC in their Group C encounter at the Birsa Munda Stadium (Morabadi) in Ranchi on Friday.

Rodriguinho dominated early, netting a hat-trick within the first 12 minutes. His opening goal arrived in the sixth minute when he brought down a pass, turned, and unleashed a left-footed strike. He promptly added two more goals in the eighth and 12th minutes.

Mohammed Aimen extended the lead in the 34th minute, sending the Tomasz Tchórz-coached team into half-time with a 4-0 advantage. SC Delhi added three more goals in the closing minutes of the match, with Rodriguinho netting twice more in the 89th and 90+5 minutes, alongside a 90+2 minute goal from substitute Juan Sebastian Peña.

The win marks SC Delhi's second straight victory, placing them at the top of Group C with six points as they move closer to a quarterfinal spot.

In a Group A match held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, East Bengal recorded their second win by defeating South United FC 5-0 to stay alive in the race for the last-eight. Goals for East Bengal came from Ramirez (6'), Bashim Rashid (24'), Bhaatt (73'), Bipin (81'), and David Hmar (90+5').

Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.