East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan Super Giants 2-1 in the Durand Cup quarterfinal to qualify for the semifinal at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade dedicated the win to Mohammed Rashid, who had left for home after getting the news of his father’s demise, days before the match.
Dimitrios Diamantakos stole the limelight on the day, scoring a brace in the 38th and 52nd minute, respectively, for the Oscar Bruzon-coached side.
It was a new East Bengal squad consisting of new foreigners and new Indian footballers. Significantly, it was an ordeal for the club management, especially for the team’s think-tank, after a series of disastrous performances in the last couple of years. The whole East Bengal fraternity was waiting for the performance of the new batch of footballers, roped in this season.
The think-tank of the team led by chief coach Oscar Bruzon and newly appointed Football Director Thangboi Shingto earned the pass mark, at least on the day against the fancied MBSG. Except for the last 20 minutes, it was the Red-and-Gold brigade that had domination over their opposition. Led by Brazilian midfielder Miguel Fereira in the midfield and buoyed by Mahesh and Bipin Singh’s agility down the flanks as well as a compact show by Rakip and Anwar Ali, East Bengal turned things around.
Jubilant East Bengal fans might also be relieved of the newly roped-in Argentine defender Kevin Sibille’s show, who made a brilliant goal-line clearance in the 58th minute.
