East Bengal FC reached the final of the 135th Durand Cup after defeating Sporting Club Delhi 5-3 on penalties in the first semifinal at Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday.
That effort gave East Bengal the advantage, which it maintained to secure a 5-3 victory. The result: Semifinal: East Bengal FC 0 drew with Sporting Club Delhi 0 (East Bengal won 5-3 on penalties.) The match remained goalless in regulation time, with East Bengal dominating the attacking third but failing to convert the chances. As tournament regulations do not provide for extra-time, the match went to a penalty shootout. East Bengal converted all five attempts in the shootout, while goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill produced the decisive moment by saving SC Delhi’s first attempt from Juan Sebastian Pena. East Bengal had several opportunities during the match. In the third minute, Edmund Lalrindika’s clever back-heel sent Jesin into the box, but Bipin narrowly missed with his cross. Basim Rashid then rattled the crossbar with a free-kick in the 16th minute before Jesin T.K. struck the right post three minutes later. Despite sustained pressure and three efforts hitting the woodwork, East Bengal could not break the deadlock. The shootout ultimately settled the contest and sent East Bengal into the Durand Cup final for the 28th time.