Newbies Diamond Harbour FC shock East Bengal, in Durand closing

“We might be higher however we can’t do extra,” mentioned coach Kibu Vicuna someday previous to the semi-final in opposition to East Bengal within the 134th Durand Cup. Even the Spaniard would have been shocked at how his crew lived up his mantra.

Now, defending champions NorthEast United, 1-0 winners in opposition to Shillong Lajong in Tuesday’s semi-final, stand between them and a title in Asia’s oldest, and the world’s third oldest, match. Wednesday’s 2-1 win in opposition to all odds ensured that.

Forget being overawed of their first Durand Cup, neglect being frightened by the fame of their opponents who had convincingly crushed ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant within the quarter-final, or the truth that they’d solely two foreigners lower than half of East Bengal. Forget even the truth that their supporters would, by an optimistic estimate, be within the a whole bunch among the many 18,960 that fetched up with loud hailers on a midweek night at Salt Lake stadium.

DHFC absorbed the shock of letting in Anwar Ali’s equaliser one minute after Mikel Kortazar’s magnificent back-volley had them forward, scored once more from a melee via Jobby Justin after which held on as East Bengal threw the kitchen sink, nay the entire kitchen, at them.

Miguel Ferreira thudded the framework, Mohamad Bashim dragged his shot large, Dimitrios Diamantikos did not preserve a free header on course as soon as in every half as did Kevin Sibille simply earlier than half-time. Kortazar produced a goalline save in first half stoppage time. And when all was misplaced, there was Koottappuna Mirshad about whom we are going to come to in a bit.

Justin, whose profession had grown at East Bengal, is getting a second wind on the membership that was based on April 15, 2022, additionally the Bengali New Year’s Day. Vicuna’s 4-3-3 formation hinged on the monitoring again of his large forwards and Justin and Halicharan Narzary did simply that.

That East Bengal had been compelled into taking off Edmund Lalrindika and Lalchungnunga, who was on a reserving, add solidity in midfield by introducing Jeakson Singh and getting Bashim in hours after he had flown again from USA after his father’s demise, was proof of how efficient DHFC had been, particularly in transitions. By half-time, Samuel Lalmuanpuia might have had a aim and an help however his twenty third minute shot banged into the horizontal and his move over Lalchungnunga was skied by Justin three minutes later.

And now about Mirshad, additionally a former East Bengal participant. The goalie was shocked by the vicious curl and energy of Ali’s shot from 40 yards however had saved one from the central defender within the twenty first minute. He produced a double save within the transfer that had the Spaniard Kortazar, who put in an excellent shift, clearing from the road. He additionally tipped over Sibille’s header and a strong drive from Singh. That was within the 56th minute. Soon after, Vicuna made a triple change and the substitute struggled to get into the rhythm of the match.

It led to East Bengal asserting themselves however in opposition to the run of play, one of many substitutes, Girik Khosla gained a free-kick. From distance, Paul Ramfangzuava swung the shot which Ali headed however solely so far as Kortazar, the 26-year-old central defender from Ondarroa. As Prabhsukhan Gill went in the direction of him, Kortazar back-volleyed into the underside nook within the 66th minute.

Barely had DHFC had achieved celebrating, that Ali’s screamer levelled the problem within the 67th. DHFC organised themselves right into a low block and stored repelling East Bengal. But when the chance arose, they might break right into a counter-attack as Paul did, taking up a Justin move and testing Gill. From the corner-kick, Luka Macjen stored the ball alive and Justin managed to stab house. He didn’t rejoice.

Macjen thought he had settled it with one other counter-attack, set going by Justin however Wahengbam Angousana, one other substitute, was off-side. No downside. DHFC confirmed they’d the metal to carry on.

“We are right here to remain,” Vicuna had mentioned on Tuesday. Tired of being requested about East Bengal on the per-match press convention, he had additionally mentioned: “We too are a very good crew.” A little bit over 24 hours later, the 53-year-old Spanish coach, who had gained Mohun Bagan their final I-League in 2019-20, confirmed how proper he was. In 5 years in India, he has but to lose in opposition to East Bengal.