East Bengal won the 132nd Durand Cup on penalties against NorthEast United FC on Tuesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata after mounting an incredible comeback from two goals down and forcing a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation.
From the beginning, the highlanders were on the search, hunting in groups of at least four and swarming as soon as an East Bengal player touched the ball. The ‘Red and Gold’ brigade quickly countered.
Saul Crespo attempted to block a long pass from Phalguni Singh halfway through the ninth minute, which led to some pushing and shoving that resulted in both players coming face to face after the referee blew his whistle. Both sides sprang to either player’s defence as the linesman and referee worked together to prevent a fight amongst the players.
After some back-and-forth, Mahesh Singh had the game’s first genuine opportunity. He forced his way into the NEUFC penalty box in the 16th minute, but his weak cross was easily cleared by a NorthEast player.
Miguel Zabaco Tome headed in a deft cross from Phalguni to give NorthEast United the lead in the 22nd minute against the flow of play.
Javier Siverio was the recipient of a fizzin’ cross from Mahesh in the 26th minute, but he was unable to aim his headed effort goalward.
Although East Bengal held the majority of the possession and had chances, NorthEast United was ahead.
Nishu Kumar and Mandar Rao Desai made a strong combination down the left wing in the 40th minute to whip in a cross. Siverio once more ascended but was unable to retain his header in the target.
After the resumption, the gradual build-up play was abandoned in favour of faster, more direct waves of attack and defence. Inappropriate giveaways and other possession turnovers were brought on by the adjustment.
East Bengal were impatient as the hour-mark drew near.
NorthEast United then forced them to pay.
Phalguni scored a fantastic solo goal in the 57th minute. Phalguni’s right-side free kick was successfully cleared, but Tondonba Singh’s long pass into the right channel gave him the ball back. He drove inside, forcing the East Bengal defenders to retreat, and after taking a few side steps, he curled the ball into the far post while Prabhsukhan Gill watched from the sidelines.
East Bengal put down the gauntlet to the NorthEast United defence after the 60-minute mark. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the Highlander Brigade was louder in the audience.
The ‘Red and Gold’ brigade found their voice in the 77th minute when East Bengal’s repeated attempts finally paid off. Unfortunately, Soraisham Dinesh Singh diverted Mahesh’s shot and it ended up in the goal.
The final ten minutes of the game were intense as East Bengal was prepared to use sophisticated plays to breach NorthEast United’s defence while East Bengal went into a shell after seeing their lead sliced in half.
The goal scorer for NEYFC, Zabaco, was dismissed in extra time after receiving his second caution of the game as East Bengal quickly capitalised on the lead in the seventh minute. Cleiton’s pin-point cross was headed in by Nandha to force overtime and penalties.
Ibson Melo and Cleiton both scored in the shootout.
Both Saul Crespo and Gani Nigam scored.
Parthib missed twice after being summoned back and Prabhsukhan was in his line before Borja scored.
Pragyan and Mahesh both scored.
Nanda’s penalty kick was successful, sending the East Bengal supporters into a trance.
