East Bengal FC booked their place in the semifinals of the 135th Durand Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Indian Army FT at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata today.
P.V. Vishnu scored the decisive goal in the 38th minute, heading home a cross from Christopher Ikonomidis to settle a match that East Bengal largely dominated but could have won by a more comfortable margin.
East Bengal began the quarterfinal with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation and quickly took control of possession. Spanish playmaker Dani Ramirez came close in the sixth minute after a flowing move, while his free-kick six minutes later narrowly missed the target.
The Kolkata side continued to press and created several openings. Ramirez released David Lalhlansanga in the 20th minute, but the striker was unable to finish, before Lalchungnunga forced Indian Army goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri into a fine save with a long-range effort.
East Bengal came close again in the 29th minute when Jay Gupta’s pinpoint cross found Vishnu unmarked, but his low shot went straight at Thakuri.
The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes later. Ikonomidis floated a dangerous cross into the box and Vishnu rose above the defence to send a well-directed header into the right corner. Thakuri got a hand to the ball but could not prevent East Bengal from taking a deserved lead.
Indian Army, who had set up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation, struggled to maintain possession in the first half and relied heavily on long balls and aerial challenges.
The Army side showed more attacking intent after the break and briefly threatened to change the momentum. However, East Bengal continued to create the better chances.
Substitute Jesin TK came within inches of doubling the lead around the hour mark after intercepting a long ball and rounding the advancing goalkeeper, but his effort struck the crossbar.
Indian Army then produced one of their best chances when substitute Abhi S. Biju found space and fired a low shot narrowly wide.
East Bengal continued to threaten at the other end. Edmund Lalrindika set up Ramirez in the 67th minute, but the Spaniard’s effort went just over the bar.
The closing stages saw East Bengal waste several opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. In the 80th minute, Bipin Singh played Jesin through, but the forward failed to convert from close range. Jesin then returned the favour by setting up Bipin, who also missed a one-on-one chance.
Jesin had another opportunity in the 87th minute when he connected with an Edmund cross, but his header went straight at Thakuri.
Indian Army almost snatched an equaliser in stoppage time when Abhishek Shankar Pawar unleashed a dangerous effort in the 91st minute. East Bengal, however, survived the late scare to secure their place in the last four.Indian Army FT edged the possession battle, enjoying 51% of the ball compared to East Bengal’s 49%, underlining the Army side’s composure and intent throughout the contest.
Indian Army also had a major appeal for a penalty late in the game after their forward went down inside the box when East Bengal goalkeeper Lachenpa came off his line. The referee, however, ruled that the forward had dived and waved away the appeal. The decision drew strong criticism, with the Army camp feeling that the call went in East Bengal’s favour and that the penalty should have been awarded.
The victory sends the Red-and-Gold Brigade into the semifinals of the 135th Durand Cup, while Indian Army’s spirited campaign comes to an end at the quarterfinal stage.
