KOLKATA: East Bengal FC are on a roll. Days after winning the Kolkata derby, the red-and-gold brigade qualified for the Durand Cup knockout stages defeating Punjab FC (PFC) 1-0 in their final Group A game here on Wednesday. They won two and drew one game to top the group with seven points.
Spanish striker Javier Siverio scored the all-important goal in the 22nd minute.
After the completion of Group A encounters, Mohun Bagan Super Giant finished second with six points and will have to wait for the results of the other groups to know their fate in the tournament. PFC and Bangladesh Army exit the tournament.
The Punjab outfit began well with their Spanish winger Juan Mera, playing against his former club, took the first shot at goal inside five minutes. But EB quickly settled down and at the 20-minute mark, Australian defender Jordan Elsey came close to scoring with a header off a set-piece which was deflected out by PFC defence.
EB’s goal came off the resulting corner as Naorem Mahesh Singh worked it short with Borja, who floated it in beautifully for Siverio to leap and place his head perfectly away from goalkeeper Kiran Limbu’s reach.
PFC tried to come back in the game playing some pressing football, but coach EB Cuadrat strengthened his side’s defence. In the 72nd, he brought on last season’s hero Cleiton Silva and Edwin Vanspaul in place of scorer Siverio and Sauvik Chakraborti.
The Brazilian striker had as many as three chances to score till the final whistle was blown.
In the other match of the day, two first half goals by Muhammed Nemil and Carlos Martinez and a second half injury time goal by Devendra Murgaokar helped FC Goa beat Downtown Heroes FC 3-0 in a Group D encounter in Guwahati.
