SC Delhi secured a place in the semi-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup by overturning a first-half deficit to defeat debutants FC Raengdai 5-1 in the opening quarter-final at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium on August 16.
Chongtham Kishan Singh put FC Raengdai ahead with a spectacular long-range strike in the first half.
Add TNM on GoogleFC Raengdai controlled possession and pressed high from the outset, but SC Delhi threatened through counter-attacks.
In the 57th minute, Sunny scored the equaliser with a precise low finish.
Defensively, SC Delhi, anchored by Manoj Mohammad Ashutosh Mehta and Sanatomba Singh, maintained control as Raengdai pushed forward unsuccessfully.
SC Delhi secured a place in the semi-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup by overturning a first-half deficit to defeat debutants FC Raengdai 5-1 in the opening quarter-final at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium on August 16.
Chongtham Kishan Singh put FC Raengdai ahead with a spectacular long-range strike in the first half. However, substitutes Joseph Sunny, who scored twice, Rodriguinho, Juan Sebastian Pena, and Augustine Lalrochana contributed goals that propelled SC Delhi to the next stage, according to a press release.
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FC Raengdai controlled possession and pressed high from the outset, but SC Delhi threatened through counter-attacks. Captain Lamgoulen Semkholun delivered a promising cross early on, and Juan Sebastian Pena’s header narrowly missed the target. FC Raengdai’s defence, led by Rojen Meetei, Lanchungrei Pamei, and Amitkumar Singh, remained disciplined despite pressure. Khaidem Amarjit Singh was a lively presence for Raengdai as the game evolved into an end-to-end contest.
Mohammed Aimen’s run and pass to Rodriguinho posed threats to Raengdai’s defence, though clear chances remained limited. SC Delhi’s Lalrinliana Hnamte struck the post from a header in the first half, but Raengdai took a 1-0 lead into the break.
After halftime, Joseph Sunny’s introduction transformed SC Delhi’s play. In the 57th minute, Sunny scored the equaliser with a precise low finish. Ten minutes later, a no-look pass from Pena set Sunny up to complete the turnaround. Despite attempts from Midul Doley, including a shot into the side netting, Raengdai could not regain momentum.
Sunny’s combination with Pena again created scoring opportunities. Rodriguinho’s close-range effort was saved multiple times until he finally scored in the 82nd minute with a composed left-footed finish. In stoppage time, Pena added a fourth goal with a deft no-look finish, and Augustine Lalrochana sealed the 5-1 victory with a stylish goal in the eighth minute of added time.
Defensively, SC Delhi, anchored by Manoj Mohammad Ashutosh Mehta and Sanatomba Singh, maintained control as Raengdai pushed forward unsuccessfully. Midfielder Mohammed Azhar was instrumental in ball retention and offensive threats from distance.
The win advances SC Delhi to face the winner of the second quarter-final between Indian Army Football Team and East Bengal FC on August 19 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
As part of the tournament, the Durand Cup Tournament Society awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh to one outstanding emerging player from each group to encourage promising talent. Samuel K. Vanlalpeka and Naorem Somananda Singh, both from the Indian Air Force Football Team, received the Emerging Player Award from Group C.
