Durand Cup 2024: East Bengal FC’s Shocking Quarter-Final Exit Against Shillong Lajong FC
Shillong Lajong FC shocked East Bengal FC by winning a thrilling quarterfinal match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday, sending them out of the Durand Cup 2024.
The I-League team advanced to the semi-finals, where they will take on NorthEast United FC, thanks to the notable upset caused by the loss.
Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez’s goals in the second half secured NorthEast United’s spot in the Durand Cup 2024 semifinals as they defeated the courageous Indian Army FT in the opening quarterfinal on Wednesday at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. In the other knockout match of the day, the I-League team defeated East Bengal FC, and they will now play Shillong Lajong FC in the semi-finals.
Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez started up front for Juan Pedro Benali’s team, while Jithin M.S. and Ankith Padmanabhan started on the wings. As Gurmeet Singh began, the goal was also modified. With Liton Shil as the lone striker, Indian Army FT Head Coach Manish Wahi selected a starting eleven full of midfielders.
Right from the start, NEUFC was determined to undermine the Indian Army’s defense. Albiach, Fernandez, and Jithin MS controlled the first several exchanges by attacking the Army goal several times. Bhabindara Malla Thakuri, the Army goalie, made two quick stops to keep the score tied by denying Jithin and Fernandez. The men from the Army took the strain and gradually established themselves in the game by dominating the middle.
On the other end, they stretched the play effectively by using the wings, and they packed the middle to deny the Highlanders midfield any room to locate the attackers.
Gurmeet Singh’s header save against Pardeep Singh gave the Indian Army FT a particularly menacing appearance on set pieces. For the remainder of the half, the Army Men dominated by interrogating the Highlanders’ defense. With a flourish, the Army men finished the half as B.
Sunil forced a nice save out of Gurmeet Singh. For the second half, both coaches made substitutions, and both teams got off to a fast start, producing opportunities for both teams. Christopher Kamei, a replacement, skimmed the crossbar with his effort, while B. Sunil stopped Thoi Singh, a substitute from North East, from scoring. With a straightforward play in the 52nd minute, the Highlanders broke the tie.
Guillermo headed down a long ball from left-back Samte, and Nestor Albiach completed it on the volley. The Spaniard’s left-footed shot went beyond the goalkeeper’s outstretched fingertips and into the bottom corner. A few minutes later, Guillermo’s headed goal for NorthEast United FC should have extended the lead, but Pardeep Singh stopped it.
In the 73rd minute, Guillermo Fernandez’s incredible “scorpion kick” finish gave the Highlanders a two-goal lead. After Redeem Tlang’s cross from the right side, the Spanish forward made an inventive finish by looping the ball over the head of the Army goalie. The Highlanders’ defense stayed firm to end the match and secure their spot in the semi-finals despite the Indian Army’s best efforts to apply pressure.
Shillong Lajong FC defeated East Bengal FC 2-1 in a thrilling second quarterfinal match on Wednesday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. Shortly after Nandhakumar Sekar leveled the score, negating Marcos Rudwere’s opening goal, Figo Syndai scored the game-winning goal.
Rudwere gave Shillong Lajong FC the lead in the eighth minute of play, shocking the Kolkata team. Rudwere met Hardy Nongbri’s expertly placed corner, outmuscling his defender to score. East Bengal FC retaliated by stepping up their efforts and relentlessly attacking the Shillong goal. They had plenty of opportunities to test the goalie, but they were unable to take advantage of any of them.
Another set-piece header by Rudwere gave East Bengal FC even more cause for concern as it struck the crossbar. The Red and Golds trailed at the half despite their persistent efforts to tie the score. Both teams played an end-to-end match in the second half, challenging each other’s goalkeeping and defensive prowess. The 77th minute saw East Bengal FC’s perseverance pay off when replacement Vishnu PV found Nandhakumar Sekar, who finished calmly to equalize with a shot into the bottom corner.
East Bengal FC’s relentless pursuit of a winning goal gave Shillong Lajong FC opportunities. Taking advantage of this, the hosts quickly regained control of the match. Shillong Lajong FC’s lead was restored in the final seconds when Figo Syndai coolly placed the ball past Prabhsukhan Gill after Rudwere had crossed the ball.
Shillong Lajong FC prevailed hard in the closing minutes, clinching their spot in the semi-finals despite East Bengal FC’s attempts to find another equalizer.
