Latest news with #Diamantakos
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
East Bengal soak in derby joy
Kolkata: As the referee blew the final whistle, East Bengal players dropped to the ground one after another. This time around, in delight. The red-and-gold stands of the Salt Lake Stadium were already lit up with flaming torches; some fans were crying, some hugging each other. As Oscar Bruzon made his way to the Mohun Bagan SG bench for a customary handshake with his opposite Jose Molina, the table was turned by then, and how. East Bengal rode a brace from Dimitrios Diamantakos to down Mohun Bagan 2-1 here on Sunday, storming into the Durand Cup semifinals and ending the green-and-maroon brigade's long reign at the venue. Coming off the bench in the 19th minute following in-form striker Hamid Ahadad's early injury, Diamantakos set the tempo by converting a penalty in the 38th minute. The Greek forward made it 2-0 seven minutes after the break, providing finish to a sumptuous move originating in the centre circle. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Anirudh Thapa reduced the margin to 1-2 in the 68th minute as Mohun Bagan's gameplan suddenly gained a sense of structure, forcing East Bengal to roll with the punches. But Bruzon's side eventually weathered that storm and emerged triumphant, handing Bagan their first defeat at the venue in 19 matches. The win — which came 22 days after a 3-2 win in the CFL Premier Division — was also East Bengal's first in a 'senior' derby in six matches since they had got the better of the arch-rivals, also in the Durand Cup on Aug 12 in 2023. In the Durand Cup semifinal on Wednesday, East Bengal will take on another city side Diamond Harbour FC, who defeated Jamshedpur FC 2-0 in the day's earlier quarterfinal. With influential Palestinian midfielder Mohammad Rashid back home owing to a family tragedy, East Bengal suffered another jolt early on in the match when Hamid was forced to leave the field with a muscle pull, thus paving the way for Diamantakos to enter the stage and steal the show. With the arrival of new foreigners like Hamid and Miguel Fereira, the Greek forward's role in Bruzon's scheme of things has been subject of various speculations. But when an opportunity presented itself, he grasped it in a game-changing manner. With Mohamad Rakip keeping a constant vigil on Liston Colaco's movements and a brilliant Kevin Sibille covering Jamie Maclaren, Bagan's attacking aspirations were somewhat subdued in the first half. With such worries once taken care of at the back, East Bengal looked more pro-active and adventurous. Still, the Bagan stands at their happy hunting ground brought their thunder, just as Molina expected, but East Bengal soon produced a silencer. Edmund Lalrindika's appeal for a penalty was ignored by the referee Venkatesh R, but when Bipin Singh came calling from the other end, Bagan full-back Asish Rai Singh was guilty of tripping him from behind inside the box and Diamantakos made no mistake in beating Vishal Kaith from the resultant spot-kick. Molina introduced Jason Cumimngs in place of Tamang and moved Sahal Abdul Samad to the right wing. Samad almost struck but Bagan woke up to more concerns when East Bengal swelled the lead. In a swift move, Miguel started in the middle and Naorem Mahesh Singh released the ball for Diamanatkos to pounce on the opportunity and, with Alberto Rodriguez attempting a desperate block, the ball took a slight deflection off the Bagan centre-back and settled into the net. The Bagan fortress suddenly appeared to be getting reduced to rubble. And they reacted with their trademark fighting spirit. Colaco's shot ricocheted off the crosspiece and Thapa found the target in the following move. Sibille then effected a goalline save, denying Maclaren and Gill had to deal with a Rai threat with utmost alacrity. Eventually, East Bengal defence stood firm and sealed the deal. DURAND CUP (Quarterfinal Results) Jamshedpur FC 0 Diamond Harbour FC 2 (Rautkima 3, 40); Mohun Bagan SG 1 (Thapa 68) East Bengal FC 2 (Diamantakos 38-pen, 52). Semifinal fixtures Aug 19 (Shillong): Shillong Lajong vs NorthEast United FC Aug 20 (Kolkata): Diamond Harbour FC vs East Bengal. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
East Bengal beats Mohun Bagan in Kolkata Derby, sets up Durand Cup 2025 semifinal clash against Diamond Harbour
East Bengal came with a nice essay of attacking football to prevail over its traditional rival Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-1 in the fourth quarterfinal of the Durand Cup 2025 tournament at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. East Bengal will now take on the newcomer Diamond Harbour FC, which surprised Jamshedpur FC in the third quarterfinal held earlier in the day, in the second semifinal at the same venue on Wednesday. East Bengal went ahead in the 38th minute when Dimitrios Diamantakos, who came on as a 17th minute substitute for an injured Hamid Ahadad, converted a penalty to keep his side ahead in the first half. The Greek forward scored again soon after the break to double East Bengal's lead in the 52nd minute. AS IT HAPPENED | Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal highlights Mohun Bagan pulled one back through Anirudh Thapa in the 68th minute but that was not enough to stop East Bengal from securing the well-deserved win. Making a departure from its recent performances East Bengal showed a sprightly approach putting the Indian Super League double title winner Mohun Bagan under pressure right from the start. Bringing in a host of new faces in the side this season, East Bengal showed a remarkable transformation and mounted repeated attacks to put Mohun Bagan's defence under pressure for a protracted period. The Red and Gold Brigade's dominance was sparked by its attacking efficiency that was highlighted by the effective combination of its Brazilian play-maker Miguel Ferreira with wingers Bipin Singh and Naorem Mahesh Singh. And with Diamantakos showing a great sharpness in the box it was only a matter of time before East Bengal picked up the lead. Mohun Bagan came back briefly in the game and reduced the margin with a nice goal from Anurudh Thapa in the 68th minute but the goal seemed to have come a bit too late as East Bengal sealed up its defence to preserve the lead till the end. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup Media Diamantakos struck the target from the spot after Bipin was brought down inside the box by Mohun Bagan's Asish Rai and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Before Mohun Bagan could regroup to find an equaliser, East Bengal doubled the lead to gain the psychological edge in the 52nd minute. Diamantakos picked up an assist from Mahesh and finished it with a sharp turn as the stands erupted in wild celebration expecting a long deserved win. Mohun Bagan came back briefly in the game and reduced the margin with a nice goal from Anurudh Thapa in the 68th minute but the goal seemed to have come a bit too late as East Bengal sealed up its defence to preserve the lead till the end.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha Attends Legends Clash Between Mohun Bagan Super Giant And East Bengal
Agartala (Tripura) : A historic football clash between two legendary rivals, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, unfolded on Sunday at the Umakanta Mini Stadium, where Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha graced the occasion. The match, organised in memory of the Chief Minister's late father, Makhanlal Saha, as part of the Legends Cup, drew a packed stadium filled with enthusiastic spectators. The presence of veteran football icons turned the event into a nostalgic celebration of India's footballing heritage. Every moment of the game was charged with excitement and energy, with fans reliving the golden days of Kolkata's famed football rivalry. After a gripping contest, East Bengal Legends emerged victorious, much to the delight of their supporters. On Sunday, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan also faced in the other competition, the Durand Cup 2025 quarterfinals, where the former side emerged victorious and advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament which was played in Kolkata. East Bengal prevailed 2-1 over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling Durand Cup quarterfinal clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, courtesy a brace of goals by Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos. Anirudh Thapa pulled one back for Bagan, but it was not enough to stop the 16-time Durand winners from making yet another semi-final of Asia's oldest football tournament. It did not look all that rosy in the beginning, when in-form Moroccan striker Hamid Ahadad had to leave the field at the quarter-hour mark for the Red and Golds, after suffering an injury. However, Diamantakos, who replaced him, more than made up for the setback, as per a press release from the Durand Cup. The two gaffers began the game with different strategies, with Bagan's Jose Molina deploying a traditional 4-4-2, while compatriot Oscar Bruzon of East Bengal went in with five in midfield, leaving Ahdad as the lone ranger upfront. Both teams matched almost perfectly, lining up some of the best Indian footballers of the present time as well as five foreigners each in their roster. East Bengal had the better of exchanges when the first water break was taken at the half-hour mark. Before it, a Miguel free-kick from just outside the Bagan box flew over the bar, while just after it, a through from Naorem Mahesh Singh saw Diamantakos ruled offside, after he had put the ball in the net. East Bengal's persistence paid off when Bipin Singh was brought down inside the box minutes later, and the referee pointed to the spot. Diamantakos made no mistake putting it past a diving Vishal Kaith, who guessed right, but could not beat the placement. A stung Bagan tried to equalise, but the nearest they came was when an Apuia strike in injury time ahead of the lemon break, went just wide of Prabhsukhan's outstretched dive and his right post. Molina brought in Australian Jason Cummings in the second half in place of Pasang Dorjee Tamang, in an effort to get the equaliser. However, it was Diamantakos who got his second instead, after a well-constructed move. Lalchungnunga, it was, who played the ball cross-field from his half to Edmund, who tapped it back on the volley to Miguel. The Brazilian playmaker received the ball in the middle of the Bagan half, changed track to take out one defender and found Mahesh with a forward ball. The Manipuri threaded a pass forward to Diamantako, lurking inside, who controlled and took a touch forward, before pulling the trigger with his left on the half-turn. The ball took a deflection off Spanish defender Alberto's legs and went in. Kevin Sibille, East Bengal's Italian centre-back, then brought up a crucial goal-line save minutes later, off a Jamie Maclaren attempt from close range, to deny Bagan an opening, the Durand Cup press release added. After a sustained spell of Bagan pressure, Liston found the diminutive Thapa unmarked and in space, just outside the Bagan box, from a corner. The Dehradun lad curled a right footer, and it went in through a maze of traffic in front of Prabhsukhan's goal. It was a one-goal game with 20 minutes left to play. Molina then made a triple change in the 70th minute. Dimitrios Petratos, Dippendu Biswas and Deepak Tangri were brought in, in place of British defender Thomas Aldred, Sahal Abdul Samad and Thapa, respectively. Bruzon responded with Souvik Chakrabarti, P.V. Vishnu and David Hmar in place of Mahesh, Bipin and Edmund. Molina then also played his final card in bringing in striker Suhail Bhat in place of defender Ashish Rai with less than 10 minutes of regulation time left. Despite Bagan going all out and getting a few clear chances, East Bengal held on for a memorable win.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Ahadad picks up injury in Kolkata derby, replaced by Diamantakos
East Bengal suffered an early injury blow, in the Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the 2025 Durand Cup quarterfinal, when its striker, Hamid Ahadad, picked up an injury. Ahadad, who scored on his debut to win the match against Namdhari in the group stages, has two goals in as many appearances for the Red-and-Gold brigade. However, in the quarterfinal, being played at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, he felt discomfort in his left hamstring and was substituted, early in the first half. The club's primary striker last season, Dimitrios Diamantakos, replaced the Moroccan. Diamantakos, who won the Golden Boot in the Indian Super League in the 2023-24 season, scored four goals and assisted once in the league last season. The Kolkata-based club is yet to announced the extent of Ahadad's injury. East Bengal has suffered because of injuries last season, with Diamantakos and Madih Talal missing a section of last season. In fact, Talal, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) against Odisha FC, was ruled out for the season and later released by the club. However, Diamantakos stamped his dominance, coming off the bench against Mohun Bagan as he scored twice to power his side into the final four of the tournament.
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
East Bengal prevail in thrilling Kolkata derby to make semi-finals
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 17 (ANI): Emami East Bengal prevailed 2-1 over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a thrilling Durand Cup quarterfinal clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, courtesy a brace of goals by Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos. Anirudh Thapa pulled one back for Bagan, but it was not enough to stop the 16-time Durand winners from making yet another semi-final of Asia's oldest football did not look all that rosy in the beginning, when in-form Moroccan striker Hamid Ahadad had to leave the field at the quarter-hour mark for the Red and Golds, after suffering an injury. However, Diamantakos, who replaced him, more than made up for the setback, as per a press release from the Durand two gaffers began the game with different strategies, with Bagan's Jose Molina deploying a traditional 4-4-2, while compatriot Oscar Bruzon of East Bengal went in with five in midfield, leaving Ahdad as the lone ranger teams matched almost perfectly, lining up some of the best Indian footballers of the present time as well as five foreigners each in their Bengal had the better of exchanges when the first water break was taken at the half-hour mark. Before it, a Miguel free-kick from just outside the Bagan box flew over the bar, while just after it, a through from Naorem Mahesh Singh saw Diamantakos ruled offside, after he had put the ball in the Bengal's persistence paid off when Bipin Singh was brought down inside the box minutes later, and the referee pointed to the spot. Diamantakos made no mistake putting it past a diving Vishal Kaith, who guessed right, but could not beat the placement.A stung Bagan tried to equalise, but the nearest they came was when an Apuia strike in injury time ahead of the lemon break, went just wide of Prabhsukhan's outstretched dive and his right brought in Australian Jason Cummings in the second half in place of Pasang Dorjee Tamang, in an effort to get the equaliser. However, it was Diamantakos who got his second instead, after a well-constructed it was, who played the ball cross-field from his half to Edmund, who tapped it back on the volley to Miguel. The Brazilian playmaker received the ball in the middle of the Bagan half, changed track to take out one defender and found Mahesh with a forward ball. The Manipuri threaded a pass forward to Diamantako, lurking inside, who controlled and took a touch forward, before pulling the trigger with his left on the half-turn. The ball took a deflection off Spanish defender Alberto's legs and went Sibille, East Bengal's Italian centre-back, then brought up a crucial goal-line save minutes later, off a Jamie Maclaren attempt from close range, to deny Bagan an opening, the Durand Cup press release a sustained spell of Bagan pressure, Liston found the diminutive Thapa unmarked and in space, just outside the Bagan box, from a corner. The Dehradun lad curled a right footer, and it went in through a maze of traffic in front of Prabhsukhan's goal. It was a one-goal game with 20 minutes left to then made a triple change in the 70th minute. Dimitrios Petratos, Dippendu Biswas and Deepak Tangri were brought in, in place of British defender Thomas Aldred, Sahal Abdul Samad and Thapa, responded with Souvik Chakrabarti, P.V. Vishnu and David Hmar in place of Mahesh, Bipin and Edmund. Molina then also played his final card in bringing in striker Suhail Bhat in place of defender Ashish Rai with less than 10 minutes of regulation time Bagan going all out and getting a few clear chances, East Bengal held on for a memorable win. (ANI)
