Can East Bengal Overcome Diamond Harbour FC in Semifinals?

Kolkata, Aug 19 (NationPress) As the semifinal phase approaches in Kolkata, a revitalized East Bengal is set to clash with tournament newcomers Diamond Harbour FC in what is anticipated to be an exciting semifinal of the 134th Durand Cup at the renowned Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday.

East Bengal secured their semifinal berth following a 2-1 quarterfinal derby win over fierce rivals Mohun Bagan, while debutants Diamond Harbour FC shocked ISL team Jamshedpur FC with a decisive 2-0 victory to earn their place in the semifinals.

Under the guidance of head coach Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal has evolved from a struggling team in recent derbies to one exuding confidence and tactical acumen. After breaking his Kolkata Derby jinx against Mohun Bagan, Bruzon now aims to continue this upward trajectory. He recognizes the distinct challenge posed by Diamond Harbour's fearless style and current momentum, making them formidable opponents.

"We are up against Diamond Harbour, a team that has displayed remarkable spirit throughout this tournament," Bruzon stated during his pre-match press conference. "They may be newcomers, but they play without fear, which makes them quite dangerous. There is no room for complacency. We achieved a good result in the quarterfinals, but we must replicate that intensity and focus. Playing at Salt Lake Stadium with the support of our fans empowers us, yet we understand that Diamond Harbour's coach is well aware of our strengths and weaknesses. The reality is that we meticulously plan and prepare for each game. These matches become tricky when you presume superiority."

East Bengal's journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the group stage, the Red and Gold Brigade remained undefeated, thrashing South United FC 5-0, narrowly defeating Namdhari FC 1-0, and overpowering the Indian Air Force 6-1 to top Group A with a perfect nine-point record. The quarterfinal against Mohun Bagan was their ultimate trial, and substitute Dimitrios Diamantakos emerged as the hero with a stunning brace after stepping in for the injured Hamid Ahadad, marking their first senior derby win in over 18 months.

Diamond Harbour FC's inaugural Durand Cup participation has been a dream come true. They commenced their group stage journey with a breathtaking 2-1 victory over former champions Mohammedan SC, thanks to Luka Majcen's last-minute winner, followed by a resounding 8-1 victory over Border Security Force. Despite suffering a 1-5 defeat to eventual group winners Mohun Bagan, their goal difference of +4 was enough to qualify as one of the top second-placed teams. In the quarterfinals, they showcased their prowess by defeating Jamshedpur 2-0 with Sairuatkima's first-half brace.

This tournament has been a significant validation for Diamond Harbour's head coach Kibu Vicuna, the Spanish strategist who previously led Mohun Bagan to I-League success. Vicuna remains hopeful about his team's prospects in what is their most significant match since the club's inception. “We are facing one of the best teams in India in the Durand semifinals. East Bengal is a formidable side with talented players, and they recently triumphed over the champions. However, football is played on the pitch, not on paper. They possess excellent international players and are performing exceptionally well. Nevertheless, we have demonstrated our capability to compete with anyone throughout this tournament.”

For Oscar Bruzon's East Bengal, the challenge lies in sustaining the emotional high from their derby victory while adjusting to confront a completely different tactical setup. East Bengal will rely on their experienced core – goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, defender Kevin Sibille, midfielder Miguel Figueira, and the tournament’s breakout star Dimitrios Diamantakos – to navigate this vital encounter.

The Red and Gold Brigade will depend on the goal-scoring prowess of Dimitrios Diamantakos, whose two-goal quarterfinal performance against Mohun Bagan has made him an instant favorite at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Greek striker, who faced challenges for consistent playing time earlier in the season, has seized his moment with flair and will be backed by the speed and directness of Bipin Singh and Edmund Lalrindika on the wings. The defensive unit, led by the impressive Kevin Sibille, has shown remarkable stability, while the midfield creativity of Miguel Figueira and the work ethic of Naorem Mahesh Singh will be crucial in dismantling what is expected to be a well-structured Diamond Harbour defense.

Diamond Harbour FC will look to Luka Majcen, their top scorer in the tournament, the 36-year-old Slovenian veteran who has already netted four goals and remains their most significant attacking threat. The seasoned striker has been a revelation since joining the club, supported by the pace and creativity of Jobby Justin. Their defensive backbone, anchored by the experienced Melroy Assisi and marshaled by goalkeeper Mirshad Michu – who has ISL experience with both East Bengal and NorthEast United – has been pivotal in their remarkable journey.

This face-off symbolizes a clash between East Bengal's rich legacy and Diamond Harbour's ambitious aspirations, merging established ISL experience with the determination of eager newcomers, all for a coveted spot in the Durand Cup final.

It promises to be a riveting contest of contrasts – the traditional powerhouse East Bengal, with their 16 Durand Cup titles, seeking to pen another chapter in their storied history, against the fearless newcomers Diamond Harbour FC, who have already surpassed all expectations and are driven to craft an ultimate fairy tale by reaching their first-ever major final.