Nandhakumar Sekar Does Star Turn As East Bengal Enter Durand Cup Final

Nandhakumar Sekar turned out to be East Bengal's darling once again as the red-and-gold defeated NorthEast United FC 5-3 in penalty shootout in a dramatic turnaround to make the Durand Cup final after 19 years. With one minute left on the clock, it was Nandhakumar's header (90 7th) that helped East Bengal make a dramatic turnaround as they came back from being 0-2 down to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shoot-out. Nandhakumar then sealed the issue in the penalty shoot-out after Cleiton Silva, Saul Crespo, Borja Herrera and Naorem Mahesh converted their chances. Brazilian Ibson De Melo, Gani Ahmmed Nigam and Pragyan Gogoi scored for the Highlanders and it was their third attempt that proved decisive.

First it was Parthiv Gogoi's shot saved by Prabhsukhan Siingh Gill and had to retaken, and this time the crosspiece came to East Bengal's rescue.

This was 16-time champions East Bengal's first Durand Cup final appearance since 2004.

Another derby is not ruled out in the final as East Bengal await the winners of Mohun Bagan and FC Goa, slated to play the second Durand Cup semifinal on Thursday.

The Highlanders, who also enjoyed a better record against East Bengal in their six exchanges in the Indian Super League, dominated the proceedings for more than one-hour where they raced to 2-0 lead.

The Carles Cuadrat-coached side looked listless and a shadow of their stunning derby win over Mohun Bagan. The glimmer of hope came in the 77th minute.

A brilliant run into the box by Saul Crespo set up Naorem Mahesh Singh on the edge of the box as his shot on the target was guided into his own goal by Soraisham Dinesh Singh of NorthEast United FC.

The 27-year-old Tamil Nadu lad, whose goal in the Kolkata derby 17 years ago had ended their