Durand Cup: SC Delhi turns the tables on Raengdai, meets East Bengal

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East Bengal's Dani Ramirez, right, lets one rip against Indian Army. | Photo Credit: PTI

Former champion East Bengal FC edged past Indian Army FT 1-0 in the second quarterfinal of the 135th Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

The Kolkata outfit will face Sporting Club Delhi in the semifinal at the same venue on Wednesday. The latter had defeated FC Raengdai 5-1 in the first last-eight clash.

P.V. Vishnu scored in the 39th minute, heading home a well-delivered cross from Christopher Ikonomidis to give East Bengal the lead.

The host dominated the first half and created several chances, but Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri made a series of impressive saves.

East Bengal, which recently qualified for AFC Champions League Two, struggled to convert its opportunities after the break. However, its defence held firm.

At the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half comeback and netted five goals to turn the tables on debutant Raengdai.

Chongtham Kishan Singh gave the Noney-based Manipur side the lead with a spectacular long-range strike in the ninth minute.

After half-time, SC Delhi coach Tomasz Tchorz introduced India under-23 forward Joseph Sunny.

The move paid off as Sunny scored twice within 10 minutes to put Delhi 2-1 ahead by the 67th minute.

Rodriguinho, Juan Sebastian Pena and Augustine Lalrochana added a goal each as Delhi roared back in style.

The results (quarterfinals): 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)

Monday’s matches: At Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs. Jamshedpur FC (4 p.m.); At Shillong: Shillong Lajong FC vs. NorthEast United FC (7 p.m.).