GUWAHATI: In a nail-biting semifinal clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday, Emami East Bengal Football Club (EBFC) orchestrated a stunning turnaround to secure their place in the final of the 132nd Durand Cup. NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) were down to 10 men but leading 2-0. East Bengal showcased their fighting spirit, levelling the scores in regulation time before eventually triumphing 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out.
NEUFC had surged ahead in the first half, courtesy of a splendid header by Spanish defender Michel Zabaco from Konsam Phalguni Singh's perfectly measured cross. The second half saw NEUFC doubling their lead in the 57th minute, with Phalguni Singh's skilful left-footed finish beating East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
However, the game took an astonishing turn when N Dinesh Singh inadvertently scored an own goal while trying to deal with a Mahesh Naorem Singh shot, allowing East Bengal to initiate their comeback. The tide continued to shift as Nandhakumar Sekar, who had previously showcased his match-winning abilities, rose to the occasion once again. He netted a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time, capitalising on NEUFC's numerical disadvantage following Zabaco's expulsion due to a second booking.
The match progressed into a high-stakes penalty shoot-out. East Bengal exhibited remarkable composure, converting all their penalties with clinical precision. Cleiton Silva, Saul Crespo, Borja Herrera, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and the prolific Nandhakumar Sekar found the target for the red-and-gold brigade.
On the other hand, NEUFC's campaign suffered a blow as they faltered in the shootout, with only Ibson De Melo, Gani Ahmed, and Pragyan Gogoi managing to hit the mark. Parthib Gogoi's misfortune epitomised NEUFC's struggles, as his re-taken penalty struck the crossbar, sealing their fate.