Kolkata, August 20: Debutants Diamond Harbour FC reached the final of the ongoing 134th Durand Cup after beating 16-time champions East Bengal FC 2-1 on Wednesday evening at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Kolkata clash turned into a high-intensity battle, with 11 vs 11 on the pitch and a tactical duel between Spanish maestro, Diamond Harbour FC coach Kibu Vicuna and East Bengal’s head coach Oscar Bruzon.
The first half witnessed an intense battle between East Bengal and Diamond Harbour FC, with both sides creating promising chances but failing to find the back of the net.
The opening breakthrough nearly came in the 8th minute when Paul attempted a long-range strike after receiving a back pass from Joby from the right flank. His effort was on target, but the East Bengal goalkeeper stood tall to make a sharp save.
East Bengal responded strongly in the 15th minute. Mahesh slipped a pass inside the box for Miguel, who attempt a grounded shot just wide of the post. Minutes later, Anwar unleashed a shot from distance with a 30-yard, however Mirsad pull off a fine save.
The best chance of the half for Diamond Harbour FC came in the 24th minute through a counterattack. Majcen played from the left, laid the ball off to Joby, whose back pass found Samuel inside the box. His powerful shot deflected off the crossbar, much to the relief of the East Bengal defense.
The final moments before the break turned chaotic inside the Diamond Harbour FC box. In stoppage time at 45+5th minute, Mahesh unleashed a strike from the left side which hitted the post after deflecting with Mirshad. The rebound fell to Bipin Singh, who forced another save from the keeper. As the ball spilled loose, Diamantakos was about to capitalise, however Mikel Kortazar cleared the danger, preventing a certain goal.
The second half burst into high with both sides pushing hard for the opener. In the 54th minute, Miguel’s corner delivery from the left found Anwar, who rose highest, sent his header to Diamantakos, his shot went wide of the target, it could be better from that close.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 66th minute for Diamond Harbour FC. From a freekick Paul delivered the ball inside the box from the left, which Anwar Ali headed but failed to clear, which fell at the far post Mikel attempt that with a stunning bicycle kick to slot the ball into the net, a spectacular finish to make it 1–0.
But East Bengal struck back immediately. Just a minute later, in the 67th, Anwar unleashed a thunderous long-range effort from more than 30 yards out. His shot flew past the Diamond Harbour FC keeper into the back of the net, leveling the score at 1–1 and sending the crowd crazy.
The game remained on a knife’s edge until the 83rd minute when Diamond Harbour FC regained their lead. From a corner on the right, Luka Majcen picked up the ball but didn’t capitalised , the loose ball amidst a crowded scramble found Joby, who calmly placed it into the net to make it 2–1.
Drama unfolded deep into stoppage time as Luka thought he had sealed the game with a late strike in the 90+6th minute, but the referee ruled it offside.
East Bengal pressed relentlessly in the dying minutes, pushing high and throwing numbers of attacks search of an equalizer. Despite their late dominance and attacking waves, Diamond Harbour FC stood tall. At the final whistle, debutant Diamonds clinched a hard-fought 2–1 victory, stopping East Bengal to reached their 27 Durand Cup final mark, in a thrilling contest.
With this historic win, Diamond Harbour FC have booked their place in the grand finale, where they will face defending champions NorthEast United FC on 23rd August. A thrilling showdown awaits as the debutants aim to script another chapter of glory against the reigning champions.
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