Diamond Harbour creates history, enters Durand Cup final
The debutants beat Emami East Bengal 2-1 in the second semi-final of the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup
Hyderabad: Debutants Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) created history at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on Wednesday, defeating Emami East Bengal 2-1 in the second semi-final of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, courtesy two second-half strikes from Spanish defender Mikel Idiakez Kortazar and Kerala forward Joby Justin respectively.
Anwar Ali had drawn parity for the Red & Golds moments after Idiakez’s spectacular back-volley had given the Diamonds the lead. They now take on defending champions NorthEast United FC in the grand finale on Saturday (August 23).
A move began by Joby from just outside the Diamond box. Halicharan Narzary found Luka Majcen in space ahead of him, who in turn crossed ahead for Joby, who had made his way into the East Bengal box. His cut back saw Samuel unleash a powerful strike which thundered the underside of the bar before coming back into play. A couple of minutes later, Samuel again found Joby inside the Red & Gold box in space, but the Kerala forward literally blew away the opportunity.
East Bengal did finish the half the stronger of the two, with a Mahesh cross getting Diamantakos to head one which went out and then again the Manipuri’s shot hitting the bar in the 2nd minute of extended time.
It was Mahesh behind the first big chance of the half, in fact, displaying deft skills to cut in from the left and put Diamantakos in lots of space inside the Diamond box. With only the keeper to beat from an angle, the Greek hit the side-netting.
Against the run of play, Diamond’s Idiakez scored a wonder goal. Paul took the free-kick from the left, only for Anwar to try and clear with his head. The ball looped across the goal, and Idiakez, with his back towards the goal, executed a back-volley to perfection, giving the tournament debutants the lead for the first time in the match.
Anwar, however, made amends almost instantly, collecting the ball inside his half and then meandering ahead on his own, before firing a missile from 40 yards out which Mirshad could only palm towards his goal. A vicious last-minute curve and power in the shot gave the Diamond keeper no chance.
Moroccan Basim Rashid was also brought on by Vicuna in place of Saul Crespo, in an effort to break the deadlock, but the Diamonds it was the ones who would do it instead, going ahead again when off an Angousana corner, a melee inside the box saw Joby tap in from close.
The result: Diamond Harbour FC 2 ((Kortazar 66’ Jobby 83’ ) bt East Bengal FC 1 (Anwar 67’).
