Durand Cup 2023: East Bengal defeat Gokulam Kerala FC to enter semi-final

A first goal in the first minute by Jordan Rhys Elsey and an own goal by Bouba Aminou helped East Bengal overcome a resilient Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 in the second quarterfinal of the 2023 Durand Cup played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday.

Bouba Aminou scored for Gokulam Kerala. East Bengal will face North East United in the semifinals on August 29.

East Bengal Head Coach Carles Cuadrat named an unchanged side from the last group match while Gokulam Kerala Head Coach Domingo Oramas Cabrera made eight changes from the last group match, bringing in all his regular starters. Nidhin Krishna, Bouba Aminou and Basit Ahmed Bhat retained their places in the lineup.

East Bengal stunned Gokulam Kerala in the very minute of the game by taking the lead. A training ground routine corner kick by Borja Herrara was headed back into the danger area by Javier Siverio from the edge of the box which was brilliantly flicked into the goal by Australian defender Jordan Rhys Elsey.

The Malabarians responded well to the early setback, looking dangerous going forward with East Bengal defending deep and looking to play in transition. The Torch Bearers used the speed of Nandha Kumar and Mahesh Singh in the...

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