Sporting Club Delhi mounted a five-goal second-half comeback to defeat FC Raengdai 5-1, while former champion East Bengal FC edged Indian Army FT 1-0 to advance to the Durand Cup semifinals.
Former champion East Bengal FC and Sporting Club Delhi booked their places in the 135th Durand Cup semifinals following victories in their respective quarterfinal matches on Sunday.
At Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, East Bengal FC secured a 1-0 victory over Indian Army FT. P.V. Vishnu scored the lone goal in the 39th minute, heading home a well-delivered cross from Christopher Ikonomidis. The Kolkata outfit dominated the opening period, though Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri produced a series of impressive saves. Despite struggling to convert chances after the break, East Bengal—which recently qualified for AFC Champions League Two—held firm in defence to progress.
At the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half turnaround against debutant FC Raengdai. The Noney-based Manipur side grabbed an early lead in the ninth minute through a spectacular long-range strike from Chongtham Kishan Singh.
Following half-time, SC Delhi coach Tomasz Tchorz brought on India under-23 forward Joseph Sunny. The substitution turned the tide as Sunny netted twice within ten minutes, scoring in the 57th and 67th minutes to give Delhi a 2-1 lead. Rodriguinho (82'), Juan Sebastian Pena (90+3'), and Augustine Lalrochana (90+8') each added a goal late in the match to seal the 5-1 triumph.
Sporting Club Delhi will now face East Bengal FC in the semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday. Meanwhile, quarterfinal action continues on Monday with Mohun Bagan Super Giant facing Jamshedpur FC in Kolkata at 4 p.m., followed by Shillong Lajong FC taking on NorthEast United FC in Shillong at 7 p.m.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.