North East United and East Bengal fight for a place in the 2023 Durand Cup final on Tuesday at Salt Lake Stadium.
NEUFC vs EBFC Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2023
Time: 18:00 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
NEUFC vs EBFC Match Preview
NorthEast United and the Indian Armed Force team were locked in a tight contest in the quarterfinal of the Durand Cup 2023. At last, Phalguni Singh’s 51st-minute strike helped the Highlanders cruise to the final. This is the second consecutive time NorthEast United is participating in a cup semifinal having done so in the Super Cup earlier this year. They were eliminated by eventual winners Odisha FC in that competition which is their only loss in seven matches. It shows the Highlanders have found a way to prevent defeat and also found the scoring instinct with at least a strike in the last 11 games. With a positive attitude, the mountainous club will face joint-most winners East Bengal who are also in a buoyant mood. Juan Pedro Benali’s players will lose their home advantage that helped them in the Durand Cup as all actions are centralized in Kolkata from now on. However, NorthEast have lost just once against the Red and Golds which could give this new-look side their first-ever entry in a competition final.
East Bengal also edged out Gokulam Kerala by 2-1 in an even fight. Jordan Elsey gave the home team the lead within a minute of kick-off. An in-swinging corner was nodded in by Javier Siverio unmarked at the far post which was converted by the Australian. The striker then spurned his opportunity to double the lead heading over the bar from close range. Goalkeeper Prabhsukan Gill then produced a brilliant save to deny Alex Sanchez although Malabarians trot back into the match in the second half. Opposite centre-back Aminou Bouba equalized matter but turned hero from villain as his attempted clearance landed in Gokulam's net later in the game. East Bengal will be motivated to get past a tricky challenge and will hope to maintain their winning momentum in the semifinals. NorthEast United are formidable opposition but the Red and Gold could not restrict the fact of reaching their 27th final and the first since 2004. Like that time, there is a possibility of a Kolkata derby for the silverware if Mohun Bagan beat FC Goa in the other semifinal.
NEUFC vs EBFC Predicted Lineups
NUEFC: Mirshad Michu; Tondonba Singh, Gaurav Bora, Miguel Zabaco, Dinesh Singh; Gani Ahmed, Phalguni Singh, Romain Philippoteaux; Ibson Melo, Parthib Gogoi, Redeem Tlang
EBFC: Prabhsukan Gill; Harmanjot Khabra, Lalchunnunga, Jordan Elsey, Nishu Kumar; Borja Herrera, Saul Crespo, Souvik Chakraborty; Nadha Kumar, Javier Siverio, Naorem Mahesh
NEUFC vs EBFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: P Singh (Cr - 8, Pts - 67)
DEF: T Singh (Cr - 8, Pts - 91) Zabaco (Cr - 8, Pts - 92), Elsey (Cr - 7, Pts - 124), N Kumar (Cr - 8, Pts - 60)
MID: N Sekar (Cr - 9, Pts - 23), B Herrera (Cr - 9, Pts - 54), K Singh (Cr - 8, Pts - 116), Philippoteaux (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 147), Parthib Gogoi (Cr - 9, Pts - 264)
FW: Siverio (Cr - 8, Pts - 83)
Vice-captain: Parthib Gogoi
Captain: Javier Siverio
