SC Delhi recovered from an early setback to thrash FC Raengdai 5-1 and book a Durand Cup semi-final against East Bengal, who defeated Indian Army FT 1-0. Joseph Sunny’s second-half brace inspired Delhi’s emphatic comeback in Ranchi
Published Date – 16 August 2026, 11:47 PM
Ranchi: SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat debutants FC Raengdai of Manipur 5-1 on Sunday and set up a semi-final clash against Kolkata heavyweights East Bengal in the Durand Cup.
After Chongtham Kishan Singh’s stunning long-range strike in the ninth minute had put Raengdai ahead in the first half, substitute Joseph Sunny scored a second-half brace (57th, 67th) to turn the game around.
Rodriguinho (82nd), Juan Sebastian Pena (90+3) and Augustine Lalrochana (90+8) were the other scorers for SC Delhi in the quarter-final.
In Kolkata, a first-half header from PV Vishnu helped East Bengal FC edge past a spirited Indian Army FT side 1-0 in another quarter-final.
The East Bengal-SC Delhi semi-final will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 19.
At Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Stadium, FC Raengdai took the lead in spectacular fashion.
Chongtham Kishan Singh unleashed a powerful shot from around 20 metres that dipped late, struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, leaving SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes with no chance.
SC Delhi immediately searched for the equaliser and launched a series of attacks. Raengdai’s defensive unit, led by Rojen Meetei, Lanchungrei Pamei and Amitkumar Singh, remained disciplined and repeatedly denied the opposition.
At the other end, Khaidem Amarjit Singh looked lively for the debutants as the contest developed into an end-to-end affair.
SC Delhi emerged with greater purpose after the restart, and the introduction of Sunny proved decisive.
The substitute came close to making an immediate impact in the 52nd minute after a brilliant run before squaring the ball to Rodriguinho. The forward’s effort appeared destined for the net, but Kamei Pantiga produced a superb save to preserve Raengdai’s lead.
Five minutes later, however, the goalkeeper could do nothing. Pena produced a clever move before releasing Sunny, who collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired a precise low shot between two defenders into the bottom-left corner to level the contest.
The equaliser transformed SC Delhi’s confidence. Ten minutes later, Pena was once again at the heart of the attack, producing a sublime no-look pass that released Sunny into the penalty area. The substitute calmly beat Pantiga to complete the turnaround.
Rodriguinho added a third four minutes later. The forward showed excellent composure to beat two defenders before slotting a left-footed finish beyond Pantiga.
The closing stages turned into a goal fest. In the third minute of stoppage time, Pena produced a superb dribbling run into the box before calmly applying a no-look finish to make it 4-1.
SC Delhi added another goal before the final whistle. Substitute Augustine Lalrochana picked up the ball on the left in the eighth minute of added time, drove into the box and finished stylishly into the far corner to complete the emphatic victory.
At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, East Bengal dominated possession from the opening whistle and pinned the Army side deep inside their own half.
Indian Army struggled to put together sustained passages of possession, often relying on long aerial balls to relieve the pressure.
East Bengal’s best chance of the first half came in the 29th minute when Jay Gupta delivered a pinpoint cross for Vishnu, who found himself unmarked. However, his effort went straight into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms.
East Bengal finally made the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Christopher Ikonomidis delivered an inviting cross into the box and Vishnu made amends for his earlier miss by heading into the right corner. Thakuri got his fingertips to the ball but could not keep it out.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade maintained control for the remainder of the half, with Mohamad Basim Rashid trying his luck from distance shortly before the break, though his effort drifted wide.
East Bengal nearly doubled their advantage around the hour mark when substitute Jesin TK intercepted a long ball from Rashid and raced past the advancing goalkeeper. However, his attempt struck the crossbar.
In the 80th minute, Bipin Singh set up Jesin TK with a precise pass, but the forward failed to convert from close range. Moments later, Jesin returned the favour by putting Bipin through, only for the winger to squander another one-on-one opportunity.
Jesin had another chance to seal the result in the 87th minute when he met a cross from Edmund, but his header went straight at Thakuri.
With five minutes of stoppage time added, Indian Army almost produced a dramatic equaliser against the run of play.
In the 91st minute, Abhishek Shankar Pawar unleashed a dangerous effort that briefly threatened to spoil East Bengal’s dominant display, but the Kolkata side survived the late scare.
