A place in the first final of the 2023-24 season will be up for grabs when East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC battle it out in the Durand Cup 2023 semi-final on Tuesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

East Bengal FC will be looking to reach their 27th Durand Cup final but NorthEast United FC who will be eyeing their first-ever title clash in their history, have shown plenty of promise in the Durand Cup so far, to cause the home side problems.

Both the Kolkata Giants and Highlanders have had disappointing campaigns in the Indian Super League, so getting a shot at silverware would mean a lot to the two sides, especially with a new ISL season on the horizon.

NorthEast United FC who reached the semi-finals of the Super Cup in April will have added motivation to clear this hurdle this time. But East Bengal who will be enjoying big support are a rejuvenated outfit under head coach Carles Cuadrat and would be keen to end their trophy drought at the national level.

East Bengal FC’s road to the semi-final

The Red and Gold Brigade are unbeaten in the Durand Cup so far with three wins and a draw in their four matches so far. Barring a late lapse against Bangladesh Army that saw them squander a two-goal lead in the dying minutes, Cuadrat’s team have almost been perfect.

Their success is based on their solid defensive unit that has let in just three goals in four matches, two of which came in that opening encounter.

Two clean sheets against fellow ISL outfits in Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Punjab FC will give them plenty of confidence when they take on the Highlanders in the semi-final.

East Bengal FC have had five different goalscorers in the tournament so far and the fans will be encouraged by new signing Javier Siverio who has already scored twice in the competition.

The Kolkata giants last reached the Durand Cup final in 2004 when they last lifted the trophy and would be determined to put an end to their wait of winning the oldest football competition in Asia again.

NorthEast United FC’s road to the semi-finals

NorthEast United FC have been very impressive in the Durand Cup winning three games and drawing just once against fellow semi-finalists FC Goa.

The Highlanders opened the tournament with a 4-0 win over Shillong Lajong before that entertaining 2-2 draw with the Gaurs before securing their passage to the next round with a 3-1 comeback triumph against Downtown Heroes.

They then edged past Indian Army in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win.

The Highlanders have netted ten times in the Durand Cup already with youngsters Parthib Gogoi scoring four goals, and will be eyeing the golden boot award in the competition. Romain Phllippoteaux will share the burden of scoring goals with Gogoi having netted twice already in the Durand Cup 2023.

Match Details

Fixture: NorthEast United FC vs East Bengal FC

Date: August 29, 2023

Time: 6 PM IST

Telecast: Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 1 HD and Sony LIV (Live Streaming)

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