Eyeing a record-equalling 17th title, East Bengal will face the winners of Thursday’s second semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending champions NorthEast United FC in Sunday’s summit clash at the Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal held their nerve in a penalty shootout to beat a resolute SC Delhi 5-3 after a goalless regulation-time stalemate and reach the Durand Cup final on Wednesday. A potential Kolkata derby final would be a repeat of the 2023 title clash, which Mohun Bagan had won.
Captain Mohammed Rashid, who had endured an otherwise frustrating outing in regulation time, finally had his moment in the shootout, calmly finding the corner with East Bengal’s fifth and decisive kick to seal the victory. Anwar Ali opened the shootout by calmly sending his penalty past SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes. Rohit Danu then powered his effort into the net before Lalchungnunga picked out the top-right corner to put East Bengal 3-1 ahead. Knockout matches that end in a draw after regulation 90 minutes skip extra-time and head directly into a penalty shootout to decide the winner, according to the tournament rules of the Durand Cup.
Juan Pena had earlier seen his penalty saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, who went the right way to make a regulation save. In between, SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes produced a crucial save to deny Hmar, while East Bengal’s Prabhsukhan Singh Gill had earlier kept his side in the contest by saving Rodriguinho’s penalty.
