Dimitrios Diamantakos scored twice as East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the Durand Cup quarterfinal, setting up a semifinal clash with Diamond Harbour FC and ending an 18-month derby drought
Two of the finest footballers from the city and both former India captains, Shabbir Ali and Victor Amalraj, were witnesses to the massive clash between the supporters of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in the Kolkata League ‘Derby’ clash, which left 16 dead in August 1980
The stampede-like situation at Eden Gardens had more to do with erstwhile corrupt officials of Cricket Association of Bengal, who had printed fake tickets above capacity and there were at least 20,000 people more.
Mohun Bagan were one-man down after Anirudh Thapa was sent off in the 62nd minute, but they still scored the decisive goal through a brilliant solo effort from Petratos in the 71st minute
The win paved the way for a fairytale Durand Cup finale on 'Super Sunday' as it set up Mohun Bagan's derby showdown against arch-rivals East Bengal in a repeat of 2004 final
Adil's professional career began in 2008 in the colours of Sporting Clube de Goa after making a move from SESA Academy. After spending years with the 'Flaming Orange', he moved to Kolkata to feature in the Green and Maroon of Mohun Bagan.
Coach Manolo Marquez Roca did accept that they are worried about not scoring goals and need to find ways to find the target more often, going ahead in the season.
Tapan skipper scored 54 and picked up five wickets for just 10 runs in his quota of four overs to help Tapan propel his team to the third win against Bagan in the tournament. And the sweetest of those came in the final.