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Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Naorem Mahesh Singh scored as East Bengal thrashed South United FC 5-0 in the 134th Durand Cup.
East Bengal FC in action at the 2025 Durand Cup (X)
East Bengal FC thrashed South United FC 5-0 in the 134th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Naorem Mahesh Singh scored to hand the Red and Gold brigade a decisive win over the debutants.
Naorem Mahesh Singh was the first to check the goalkeeper inside the first two minutes. Come the fifth it was Edmund Lalrindika who saw his effort fly just over the crossbar. East Bengal were clearly the far superior side against a side that is far bellow it on the Indian football ladder.
Despite the pressure and control it seemed almost did not want to score. In the 10th minute, David Lalhlansanga had his shot blocked at goalmouth was stopped by Edmund.
South United’s luck ran out barely two minutes later as Lalchungnunga blasted East Bengal ahead in the 12th. A superb strike from the defender, who crept up from behind to hit it sweetly as the ball bounced off the inside of the crossbar and went into the back of the net.
Nishanth N in the SUFC goal made smart saves to keep his side in the game but the pressure from East Bengal remained unrelenting.
As the half hour mark neared, the Red and Gold brigade ease up on the pressure.
Makakmayum Daniyal worked hard, running the channels but the ball rarely found its way over to him. Talib Nazir stepped up when South United got a free-kick in a promising position but his effort did little to trouble Debjit Majumder in the East Bengal goal.
Birthday-boy Saul Crespo could have doubled East Bengal’s lead but saw his headed effort from a PV Vishnu cross sailed well over.
The goal came soon after. Abdul Salha Sheergojri caught Edmund with a late challenge as the referee pointed to the spot. Saul stepped up to convert the penalty to get East Bengal 2-0 up in the 38th minute.
In the 40th, Vishnu could have added another. He did well to keep the ball at his feet with defenders charging him but his shot rattled the upright with the SUFC keeper well-beaten. At the stroke of half-time David could have scored only if he had reacted quicker to an Edmund cut-back.
South United kept East Bengal at bay as the deficit stayed at two at the break.
After the restart, David could have scored but dragged his effort wide after losing his marker.
Oscar Bruzon had cause to worry as Vishnu stumbled to the ground after a challenge early in the second half and looked in pain thereafter. The winger had to be brought off as Nandhakumar came on. Jackson Singh and Dimitrios Diamantakos came on for David and Saul at the hour mark.
South United responded by packing their on penalty box.
After scrambling to clear a corner, Mahesh saw his shot go just wide in the 63rd minute.
New signing Mohamad Rashid, who had been doing well marshalling the defence and acting as the linchpin of the mid-field, stepped up and blasted a shot in the 68th minute. His effort through was again agonisingly wide.
In the 72nd, Bruzon opted for more fresh faces as Bipin Singh came on for Edmund as Provat Lakra replaced Anwar Ali.
The effect was almost immediate. Lakra with a late challenge on Chris Sherpa in a promising position. South United FC though could not capitalise.
East Bengal though aded their third. Two substitutes combining as Diamantakos finding Bipin with a well-timed ball in behind the defence as the Indian winger slipped the last man to curl the ball into the back of the net with his right foot in the 80th minute.
South United’s frustrations were showing and in the Talib’s wild kick at Mahesh forced the referee to award a free kick just outside the penalty area. Diamantakos stepped up and tried his luck as the South United keeper just could not hold as shot rolled over the line for the fourth.
With the goals, finally flowing, Mahesh got in on the action as he curled Bipin’s corner from the edge of the box into the top corner in the 90th minute. East Bengal won 5.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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