Second-half objectives from Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez ensured NorthEast United booked their place within the semi-finals of the Durand Cup 2024, overcoming a valiant Indian Army FT within the first quarter-final, right here on the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. They will tackle Shillong Lajong FC within the semi-finals after the I-League facet recorded a win towards East Bengal FC within the different knockout sport performed within the day.
Juan Pedro Benali fielded his facet with Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez beginning up entrance and Jithin M.S. and Ankith Padmanabhan beginning on the wings. A change was additionally made in purpose, as Gurmeet Singh began. Indian Army FT Head Coach Manish Wahi named a beginning eleven filled with midfielders and Liton Shil because the lone striker.
NEUFC confirmed nice intent from the primary whistle to unsettle the Indian Army defence. The trio of Albiach, Fernandez and Jithin MS dominated proceedings within the preliminary exchanges with a number of assaults on the Army purpose. Army goalkeeper Bhabindara Malla Thakuri made two reflex saves to disclaim Jithin and Fernandez and hold the scores stage. The Army males absorbed the strain and slowly made their presence within the match by controlling the midfield. They crowded the midfield and didn’t permit any area for the Highlanders midfield to seek out the forwards and on the opposite finish, used the wings to good impact stretching the play.
The Indian Army FT seemed notably threatening in set items as Gurmeet Singh saved Pardeep Singh’s header. The Army Men dominated the remainder of the half asking questions of the Highlanders’ defence. The Army males ended the half with a flourish as B. Sunil compelled a superb save from Gurmeet Singh. Both coaches introduced in modifications for the second half and each side began on fifth gear creating probabilities on each ends. Substitute Christopher Kamei’s effort skimmed the crossbar and on the different finish, NorthEast substitute Thoi Singh’s effort was blocked by B. Sunil. The Highlanders lastly broke the impasse within the 52nd minute via a easy transfer.
Guillermo headed down a protracted ball from left-back Samte which was completed on the volley by Nestor Albiach. The Spaniard’s left footer discovered the underside nook past the outstretched fingers of the goalkeeper. NorthEast United FC might have doubled the lead minutes later however Guillermo’s headed effort was cleared off the road by Pardeep Singh.
The Highlanders doubled their benefit within the 73rd minute via a superb ‘scorpion kick’ end by Guillermo Fernandez. Redeem Tlang’s cross from the precise wing was behind the Spanish ahead who improvised with a looping end above the top of the Army goalkeeper. The Indian Army tried to place strain on the Highlanders however the defence held their floor to see off the sport and ebook their place within the semi-finals.
Shillong Lajong FC stun East Bengal FC
In a gripping second quarter-final conflict at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday, Shillong Lajong FC edged previous East Bengal FC with a 2-1 victory. Figo Syndai’s decisive successful purpose got here shortly after Nandhakumar Sekar had levelled the rating, cancelling out Marcos Rudwere’s preliminary strike.
The match started with a shock for the Kolkata outfit as Rudwere put Shillong Lajong FC forward within the eighth minute. Hardy Nongbri’s completely delivered nook was met by Rudwere, who outmuscled his defender to attain. In response, East Bengal FC ramped up their efforts, attacking the Shillong purpose persistently. Despite a flurry of probabilities, they struggled to check the goalkeeper successfully and squandered a number of alternatives.
East Bengal FC confronted an additional scare when Rudwere’s header from one other set-piece struck the crossbar. Although the Red and Golds continued to press for an equaliser, they went into the break trailing. The second half noticed each groups participating in an end-to-end contest, with all sides testing the opposite’s defensive and goalkeeping strengths. East Bengal FC’s persistence paid off within the 77th minute when substitute Vishnu PV arrange Nandhakumar Sekar, who calmly slotted the ball into the underside nook to equalise.
As East Bengal FC sought a successful purpose, their aggressive push created openings for Shillong Lajong FC. The hosts capitalised on this and shortly made their approach again into the sport. In the dying moments, a cross from Rudwere discovered Figo Syndai, who coolly slotted the ball previous Prabhsukhan Gill to revive Shillong Lajong FC’s lead.
Despite East Bengal FC’s efforts to seek out one other equaliser, Shillong Lajong FC held agency within the remaining minutes, securing their place within the semi-finals with a hard-fought victory.
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