Ratings: Late drama forces shootout, sends East Bengal to Durand Cup finale

Nandhakumar Sekar’s goal in the dying minutes of regular time paved way for East Bengal FC

What a game of football it has been here at the Salt lake Stadium. NorthEast United were minutes away from reaching their first ever final, but East Bengal were in a mood to spoil their party. The Highlanders had a 2-0 lead for the majority of the game until East Bengal came back on level terms in the last 15 minutes.

Juan Pedro Benali’s side put up a performance they can be proud of, but it is East Bengal who are going to the finals of the 132nd Durand Cup.

East Bengal defeated NorthEast United 2-2 (3-5) to book their place in the Durand Cup 2023 grand finale. The match however, started in a different way as Michel Zabaco gave the Highlanders the lead in the 22nd minute. They in fact went on to double their lead in the 57th minute, when Phalguni Singh scored from a brilliant pile-driver from inside the box.

In the 77th minute, East Bengal brought one back when Naorem Mahesh Singh’s shot got deflected into the net. Late drama took the stage as the Red & Gold Brigade netted their equaliser in the 97th minute through Nandhakumar Sekhar, just one minute prior to the conclusion of the match.

NorthEast United FC (By Yash Pratap SIngh)

Mirshad Michu – 7.0

Mirashad pulled off a lot of good saves throughout the ninety minutes and kept NorthEast United in the game, but got unlucky. However, he couldn’t save a single penalty during the shootout which resulted in a defeat for his side.

Dinesh Singh – 7.5

Dinesh was very solid at the back. He came up with well executed blocks and clearances. He also kept a good check on Nishu and Mahesh and defended really well against them. However, his own goal proved to be very costly for his side.

Asheer Akhtar – 8.0

He maintained a very solid partnership with Zobaco at the back. He was moved into the middle late in the second half and he did a pretty good job. Asheer made important last ditch challenges and clearances.

Miguel Zobaco – 8.0

The Spaniard scored his first ever goal for the Highlanders with an amazing header in the first half. He was solid all throughout the game but after he was sent off, things went from bad to worse for the Highlanders.

Tondonba Singh – 8.5

It was a really inspiring performance from the left back. He made overlapping runs, executed crucial blocks and interceptions at the back and defended with heart on his sleeves until the last minute.

Romain Philippoteaux – 7.5

The skipper put in a good shift for his side. He was equally influential for his side both while defending and attacking. He even came very close to scoring the third goal for the Highlanders.

Ali Bemammer – 7.5

The defensive midfielder put up a good performance on his first start for the Highlanders. He executed crucial interceptions and blocks. Ali acted as a shield in front of the back four and even helped the forward line at times.

Phalguni Singh – 9.0

He was undoubtedly the best player for the Highlanders. Singh created a beautiful opportunity for Zobaco to head it in and open the scoring before scoring the second goal for his side in some fashion. Moreover, he put in a very good performance in the middle.

Parthib Gogoi – 7.5

He worked up and down the left flank and was one of the most influential attackers in the Highlanders’ front line. The young lad was unlucky as he missed an important spot kick, but he can be proud of the way he has performed all throughout the campaign.

Nestor Albiach – 8.0

The Spanish playmaker was providing all the creativity with his left foot for the Highlanders. He controlled the tempo of NorthEast United’s game and knew when to pace up and when to slow down.

Manvir Singh – 8.0

Manvir worked his socks off with his ‘never say die’ attitude and ran for his life. The forward provided the much needed pace to NorthEast United’s frontline. He helped Phalguni in scoring the second goal for the Highlanders.

Substitutes

Ibson Melo – 7.5

He came on early in the second half to replace Nestor. He was decent on the pitch and scored the first penalty for the Highlanders.

Gani Ahmed – 7.0

He replaced Phalguni in the middle of the park. He too sent the keeper the wrong way and scored past him.

Thoi Singh – 7.0

Thoi came on for Manvir to make his debut for NorthEast United. He put up a decent performance on his debut but could’ve done better.

Pragyan Gogoi – 7.0

He came on for Romain in the second half. Gogoi scored past the keeper with a top corner from a spot kick.

Gaurav Bora – NA

He came in very late in the game and couldn’t make much of an impact.

East Bengal (By Sattyik Sarkar)

Prabhsukhan Gill – 6.0

Gill can’t be really blamed for both the goals since they were well off his reach. His defence was mainly the reason for conceding goals.

Harmanjot Khabra – 5.5

Khabra was taken off in the second half. He could have costed his team an early goal as he played a mis-pass in the third minute. Defensively, he should have been solid.

Lalchungnunga – 5.5

Performed his basic duties well, but could have done better regarding NorthEast United’s second goal.

Jordan Elsey – 6

Defensively, he couldn’t be blamed for the first goal at least. But he should have done better regarding the second goal. Provided some delightful long switch-overs early in the game.

Mandar Rao Dessai – 6.5

Although Mandar didn;t start in a steady way, he kept delivering good crosses from the left. For example, in the 40th minute, he whipped in a pitch-perfect cross to Javier Siverio, but the latter couldn’t head it in.

Juan Pardo – 4.5

Juan looked unsteady from the very beginning. It seemed as if the opponents kept dominating him. He was taken off at the lemon break.

Saul Crespo – 5.5

Saul was nowhere close to his former self. He even conceded a yellow card early in the game for indulging in some exchanges with Phalguni Singh. Took an excellent penalty in the shootout.

Nandhakumar Sekar – 7

He was off colour on the right flank this evening. Hardly delivered any correct cross. But, at the 97th minute, he scored the equaliser for East Bengal. Converted his penalty to take East Bengal through to the final.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 7

Mahesh started as a No. 10 today. Scored East Bengal’s goal in the 77th minute off a Dinesh Singh-deflection. He delivered a good cross to Siverio in the 27th minute but the latter wasn’t able to connect well. Converted his penalty well.

Nishu Kumar – 5.5

Nishu was deployed as a left winger today. But he was hardly able to impact the proceedings. He was substituted at half-time.

Javier Siverio – 6

Siverio received at least three cross (combined) from both flanks but wasn’t able to connect the headers properly.

Substitutes

Souvik Chakrabarti – 6

Since he had a card, he wasn’t deployed from the start. His absence was felt from the beginning. After he came on the midfield became slightly solid.

Borja Herrera – 6.5

The midfield looked lively after Borja joined the action. Initially, he was struggling, but slowly he gained confidence. Combined well with Saul and Mahesh on occasions. Successfully converted his penalty.

Gursimrat Gill – 6

East Bengal sacrificed Jordan Elsey to bring on Cleiton Silva up front and pile up the pressure in attack.

Cleiton Silva – 6.5

East Bengal looked better after Cleiton came on, but he is far from his former self. It’ll take time for him to get better in terms of fitness. Successfully converted his penalty in the tie-breaker.

Mohammad Rakip – N/A

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