Durand Cup: NorthEast United outclass Bodoland to set up repeat SF clash against Shillong
Vikash Panthi fielded a settled 4-2-3-1 lineup with Diamary in goal and Robinson leading the line, supported by Pranjal and Gwgwmsar Gayary on the flanks. NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali, reverting to his strong XI after resting players in the group finale, deployed his familiar 4-3-3 with skipper Miguel Zabaco marshalling the backline, Gurmeet Singh in goal, and a potent frontline of Ajaraie, Jithin MS, and Lalrinzuala.
The opening quarter-hour saw both teams exchange blows in a frenetic, end-to-end contest. Robinson, Pranjal, and Urjoy Brahma tested Gurmeet at one end, while Ajaraie, Lalrinzuala, and Andy forced Diamary into sharp saves at the other. In the 17th minute, Andy's curling free kick from the right nearly crept in, but Diamary parried away at the near post.
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute. A defensive lapse from Bodoland allowed Jithin MS to burst down the right and square for Ajaraie, who calmly finished past Diamary to silence the home crowd and put the champions ahead. Substitute Arjun Mardi had Bodoland's best chance to equalise soon after, but he dragged his effort wide, while Junior Onguene was denied by Gurmeet following a clever Robinson pass.
The Highlanders could have doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime when Ajaraie was one-on-one with Diamary, but the Bodoland goalkeeper stood tall and drew a foul to keep the deficit at 1-0 at the end of first half.
Bodoland came out aggressively after the restart, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third was punished in the 53rd minute. A flowing move started by Zabaco released Buanthanglun Samte on the left, whose cross was met by Andy Gaitan in the middle. The Spaniard's low strike squeezed past Diamary despite his fingertips, doubling NEUFC's advantage and making it the first goal for Andy for his new side.
Eight minutes later, Ajaraie struck again. Thoi Singh's cross from the right found the Moroccan in space, who teased with the goalkeeper and defence before slotting coolly into the net for his second of the evening, effectively sealing the contest at 3-0.
Bodoland, spurred by their vociferous supporters, pushed hard to reduce the margin but were repeatedly thwarted by Zabaco's disciplined backline and Gurmeet's safe hands. In the 74th minute, Redeem Tlang forced Diamary into another acrobatic save from distance.
The final word came deep into stoppage time when substitute Jairo threaded a delightful through ball for Parthib Gogoi, who kept his composure to slot into the far corner and complete the 4-0 rout.
With the final whistle, Bodoland's fairytale run in the Durand Cup came to an end in the quarterfinal, while defending champions NorthEast United marched a step closer to their title defence. The Highlanders will now face Shillong Lajong FC in a repeat of last year's semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, on August 19.
UNI RKM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
East Bengal ride Diamantakos brace to knock out Bagan, set Durand Cup semis against Diamond Harbour
A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos' double strike, stunned archrivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the semifinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup here on Sunday. A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos' double strike, stunned archrivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the semifinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup here on Sunday. Diamantakos, brought on as an 18th-minute substitute after Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad limped off injured, turned out to be the gamechanger. The 32-year-old first converted from the penalty spot in the 38th minute before doubling East Bengal's lead seven minutes into the second half with a sharp finish that left the ISL champions' defence flat-footed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Though Anirudh Thapa pulled one back with a stunning long-range strike in the 68th minute, East Bengal's resolute backline, held firm to script their first top-level Derby win over Mohun Bagan in more than 18 months. More from Football With the victory, East Bengal set up a blockbuster semifinal clash against fellow Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC here on August 20. The debutants Diamond Harbour FC earlier shocked ISL outfit Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in Jamshedpur. For 16 times champions East Bengal, this was not just about progression in the Durand Cup but also about ending a painful run against their bitter rivals. Since their 3-1 win in the Super Cup on January 19, 2024, they had lost four straight top-level derbies to Mohun Bagan. At the ISL level, Mohun Bagan still remain unbeaten in 10 meetings (nine wins, one draw), but this Durand Cup triumph – their first over Bagan since the CFL developmental league encounter – was a revenge for the 2023 Durand Cup final defeat, where they lost 0-1. The game lived up to its billing with full-blooded challenges, refereeing controversies and end-to-end action in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium. The drama began in the 26th minute when East Bengal thought they had scored from a quickly-taken free-kick, only for referee R Venkatesh to call it back. Minutes later, Diamantakos had the ball in the net but was flagged offside. Soon after, appeals for a penalty when Edmund Lalrindika was brought down were waved away. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the other end, however, Bagan were awarded a spot-kick after Asish Rai fouled Bipin Singh inside the box. Diamantakos, calm under pressure, smashed it past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to hand East Bengal the lead. Oscar Bruzón's side, dominant in midfield carried the momentum after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Diamantakos showcased his poacher's instinct again trapping a pass with his back to goal, spinning sharply, and firing home past Kaith with the help of a deflection. The Mariners, stung and chasing the game, finally found their spark through Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco, who both went agonisingly close with Sahal seeing his effort cleared off the line while Liston rattled the crossbar. Their persistence paid off when Thapa unleashed a thunderous drive from distance to pull one back. The closing stages saw Mohun Bagan throw bodies forward, but East Bengal dug deep, surviving wave after wave of attacks to preserve their lead and spark wild celebrations among their fans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the semifinal, defending champions Northeast United FC will face Shillong Lajong FC in Shillong on Tuesday, while East Bengal will meet Diamond Harbour FC in Kolkata on Wednesday.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
East Bengal Knock Out Mohun Bagan, Set Durand Cup Semifinal Against Diamond Harbour
A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos' double strike, stunned archrivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the semifinals of the 134th Durand Cup in Kolkata on Sunday. Diamantakos, brought on as an 18th-minute substitute after Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad limped off injured, turned out to be the gamechanger. The 32-year-old first converted from the penalty spot in the 38th minute before doubling East Bengal's lead seven minutes into the second half with a sharp finish that left the ISL champions' defence flat-footed. Though Anirudh Thapa pulled one back with a stunning long-range strike in the 68th minute, East Bengal's resolute backline, held firm to script their first top-level Derby win over Mohun Bagan in more than 18 months. With the victory, East Bengal set up a blockbuster semifinal clash against fellow Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC here on August 20. The debutants Diamond Harbour FC earlier shocked ISL outfit Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in Jamshedpur. For 16 times champions East Bengal, this was not just about progression in the Durand Cup but also about ending a painful run against their bitter rivals. Since their 3-1 win in the Super Cup on January 19, 2024, they had lost four straight top-level derbies to Mohun Bagan. At the ISL level, Mohun Bagan still remain unbeaten in 10 meetings (nine wins, one draw), but this Durand Cup triumph -- their first over Bagan since the CFL developmental league encounter -- was a revenge for the 2023 Durand Cup final defeat, where they lost 0-1. The game lived up to its billing with full-blooded challenges, refereeing controversies and end-to-end action in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium. The drama began in the 26th minute when East Bengal thought they had scored from a quickly-taken free-kick, only for referee R Venkatesh to call it back. Minutes later, Diamantakos had the ball in the net but was flagged offside. Soon after, appeals for a penalty when Edmund Lalrindika was brought down were waved away. At the other end, however, Bagan were awarded a spot-kick after Asish Rai fouled Bipin Singh inside the box. Diamantakos, calm under pressure, smashed it past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to hand East Bengal the lead. Oscar Bruzon's side, dominant in midfield carried the momentum after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Diamantakos showcased his poacher's instinct again trapping a pass with his back to goal, spinning sharply, and firing home past Kaith with the help of a deflection. The Mariners, stung and chasing the game, finally found their spark through Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco, who both went agonisingly close with Sahal seeing his effort cleared off the line while Liston rattled the crossbar. Their persistence paid off when Thapa unleashed a thunderous drive from distance to pull one back. The closing stages saw Mohun Bagan throw bodies forward, but East Bengal dug deep, surviving wave after wave of attacks to preserve their lead and spark wild celebrations among their fans.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Durand Cup 2025: Diamantakos brace helps East Bengal knock out Mohun Bagan to set up semifinal clash vs Diamond Harbour
A revamped East Bengal, inspired by Greek striker and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos' double strike, stunned archrivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a fiery Kolkata Derby to storm into the semifinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup here on Sunday. Diamantakos, brought on as an 18th-minute substitute after Moroccan forward Hamid Ahadad limped off injured, turned out to be the game-changer. Though Anirudh Thapa pulled one back with a stunning long-range strike in the 68th minute, East Bengal's resolute backline held firm to script their first top-level Derby win over Mohun Bagan in more than 18 months. With the victory, East Bengal set up a blockbuster semifinal clash against fellow Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC here on August 20. The debutants Diamond Harbour FC earlier shocked ISL outfit Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in Jamshedpur. For 16 times champions East Bengal, this was not just about progression in the Durand Cup but also about ending a painful run against their bitter rivals. Since their 3-1 win in the Super Cup on January 19, 2024, they had lost four straight top-level derbies to Mohun Bagan. At the ISL level, Mohun Bagan still remain unbeaten in 10 meetings (nine wins, one draw), but this Durand Cup triumph — their first over Bagan since the CFL developmental league encounter — was a revenge for the 2023 Durand Cup final defeat, where they lost 0-1. The game lived up to its billing with full-blooded challenges, refereeing controversies and end-to-end action in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium. The drama began in the 26th minute when East Bengal thought they had scored from a quickly-taken free-kick, only for referee R Venkatesh to call it back. Minutes later, Diamantakos had the ball in the net but was flagged offside. Soon after, appeals for a penalty when Edmund Lalrindika was brought down were waved away. At the other end, however, Bagan were awarded a spot-kick after Asish Rai fouled Bipin Singh inside the box. Diamantakos, calm under pressure, smashed it past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to hand East Bengal the lead. Oscar Bruzón's side, dominant in midfield carried the momentum after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Diamantakos showcased his poacher's instinct again trapping a pass with his back to goal, spinning sharply, and firing home past Kaith with the help of a deflection. The Mariners, stung and chasing the game, finally found their spark through Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco, who both went agonisingly close with Sahal seeing his effort cleared off the line while Liston rattled the crossbar. Their persistence paid off when Thapa unleashed a thunderous drive from distance to pull one back. The closing stages saw Mohun Bagan throw bodies forward, but East Bengal dug deep, surviving wave after wave of attacks to preserve their lead and spark wild celebrations among their fans.
