Kolkata: East Bengal FC and SC Delhi will clash in the first semi-final of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake.
East Bengal have scored 14 goals and conceded only once throughout the competition, that solitary concession coming in their opening 0-1 defeat to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Group A. Since then, they have produced four consecutive clean sheets, beating CISF Protectors 8-0 and South United FC 5-0 in the group stage, before edging Indian Army FT 1-0 in the quarter-final, results that also confirmed their place among the two best runners-up.
SC Delhi have been the tournament's most prolific side by some distance, scoring 21 goals across their four matches while conceding just three. They topped Group C with nine points, beating Jamshedpur FC 2-1, Defenders FC 7-0 and Indian Air Force FT 7-1, before producing another comeback victory in the quarterfinal, defeating FC Raengdai 5-1 after falling behind. That blend of attacking efficiency and defensive control has marked them out as one of the standout sides of the competition.
Dani Ramírez has emerged as a key creative presence for East Bengal. The Spanish midfielder has shown a real ability to operate between midfield and attack, helping the side progress possession and unlock defensive blocks.
Mohammed Basim Rashid offers a further attacking outlet, while PV Vishnu has been particularly influential in front of goal, scoring four times in the tournament so far — three of them in the 8-0 win over CISF Protectors, before his header settled the quarter-final against Indian Army FT.
Among head coach Tomasz Tchórz's attacking options is Brazilian forward Rodriguinho, the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals. IANS
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