East Bengal FC reached the Durand Cup final after 19 years, defeating NorthEast United FC 5-3 on penalties in the first semi-final. The match ended 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes of regulation time at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
It was a story of fantastic comeback by Red & Gold Brigades, as NEUFC took a 2-0 lead through Zabaco (22′) and Phalguni (57′). However, The Red & Gold Brigade made a stunning comeback as in 77′ Mahesh’s shot from the edge of the box deflects off Dinesh and past the wrong-footed keeper to put EBFC back into the match and Nandha equalized in 90+7′.
In penalty shoot out, Cleiton, Crespo, Borja, Mahesh and Nandha scored for East Bengal FC, while Gill saved Partib’s shot.
For NEUFC, Ibson Melo, Gani and Pragyan scored.
East Bengal FC Starting XI:
Prabsukhan Gill, Harmanjot Khabra, Lalchungnunga, Jordan Elsey, Mandar Rao Desai, Saul Crespo, Jose Pardo, Nishu Kumar, Nandhakumar Sekar, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Javier Siverio
Picture Courtesy: Social Media
