East Bengal Suffer Shock Durand Cup Quarter-Final Exit To Shillong Lajong FC

Second-half goals from Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez ensured NorthEast United booked their place in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup 2024, overcoming a valiant Indian Army FT in the first quarter-final, here at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. They will take on Shillong Lajong FC in the semi-finals after the I-League side recorded a win against East Bengal FC in the other knockout game played in the day.

Juan Pedro Benali fielded his side with Nestor Albiach and Guillermo Fernandez starting up front and Jithin M.S. and Ankith Padmanabhan starting on the wings. A change was also made in goal, as Gurmeet Singh started. Indian Army FT Head Coach Manish Wahi named a starting eleven packed with midfielders and Liton Shil as the lone striker.

NEUFC showed great intent from the first whistle to unsettle the Indian Army defence. The trio of Albiach, Fernandez and Jithin MS dominated proceedings in the initial exchanges with multiple attacks on the Army goal. Army goalkeeper Bhabindara Malla Thakuri made two reflex saves to deny Jithin and Fernandez and keep the scores level. The Army men absorbed the pressure and slowly made their presence in the match by controlling the midfield. They crowded the midfield and did not allow any space for the Highlanders midfield to find the forwards and on the other end, used the wings to good effect stretching the play.

The Indian Army FT looked particularly threatening in set pieces as Gurmeet Singh saved Pardeep Singh's header. The Army Men dominated the rest of the half asking questions of the Highlanders' defence. The Army men ended the half with a flourish as B. Sunil forced a fine save from Gurmeet Singh. Both coaches brought in changes for the second half and both