Durand Cup: East Bengal march into semis with 1-0 win over Indian Arm…

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 17 (ANI): A first-half header from PV Vishnu saw East Bengal FC edge past a spirited Indian Army FT side and book their place in the semifinals of the IndianOil Durand Cup played here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

On Sunday, heading into the knockout match, East Bengal went with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation.

Phurba Lachenpa started in goal, protected by Jay Gupta, Narender Gahlot, Lalchungnunga and Boris Singh in defence. Rohit Kumar and Mohamad Basim Rashid formed the double pivot, providing a platform for Dani Ramirez, Christopher Ikonomidis and P.V. Vishnu to operate behind lone striker David Lalhlansanga, as per a press release. ipltable.lol

Indian Army FT, meanwhile, opted for a defensive 5-3-2 formation to absorb the anticipated pressure. Bhabindra Malla Thakuri started between the sticks, with Sunil Benchamin, Pardeep Singh, Lethaolen Khongsai, Chabin Rabha and Shafeel PP forming the five-man defensive line. Abhishek Shankar Pawar, P Christopher Kamei and Shubham Rana comprised the midfield, while Samir Murmu and Saikhom Borish Singh led the attack.

East Bengal stamped their authority on the contest from the opening whistle, dominating possession and pinning the Army men deep inside their own half. The first major opening arrived in the sixth minute following an excellent passing move, but Spanish playmaker Dani Ramirez could not capitalise.

The Kolkata side continued to probe and came close again in the 12th minute from a set-piece. Ramirez delivered a beautifully struck left-footed in-swinging free-kick that beat the goalkeeper but narrowly missed the target, brushing the wrong side of the side-netting.

The one-way traffic continued through the second quarter, with Indian Army struggling to cope with East Bengal’s intensity. Ramirez turned provider in the 20th minute, playing a precise ball to release David Lalhlansanga, but the forward could not apply the finishing touch.

Moments later, centre-back Lalchungnunga ventured forward and unleashed a powerful long-range effort that forced Bhabindra Malla Thakuri into an acrobatic save.

Indian Army struggled to put together sustained passages of possession, often relying on aerial duels and long balls to relieve the pressure. East Bengal’s best opportunity of the half came in the 29th minute when Jay Gupta delivered a pinpoint cross for P.V. Vishnu, who found himself unmarked in a one-on-one situation. However, the forward’s grounded effort went straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.

East Bengal finally found the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Christopher Ikonomidis delivered an inviting cross into the box, and Vishnu made amends for his earlier miss, rising highest to meet the delivery with a perfectly timed header into the right corner. Thakuri got his fingertips to the effort but could not keep it out as East Bengal took a deserved 1-0 lead.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade maintained their control for the remainder of the half, with Mohamad Basim Rashid trying his luck from distance shortly before the interval, although his effort drifted wide.

Indian Army showed greater attacking intent after the restart and earned an early corner, which the East Bengal defence dealt with comfortably. Rashid then attempted an ambitious long-range strike from well outside the box, but his powerful effort sailed over the crossbar.

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, denying the substitute an immediate impact.

Indian Army produced their best opportunity of the contest shortly afterwards. Substitute Abhi S. Biju found space before unleashing a powerful low effort that flashed just wide of the target.

East Bengal responded in the 67th minute when substitute Edmund Lalrindika picked out Ramirez inside the box, but the Spaniard’s effort flew narrowly over the crossbar.

As the match entered its final stages, East Bengal’s attacking intensity dipped, but they continued to create clear-cut opportunities. The closing ten minutes became a frustrating sequence of missed one-on-one chances.

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.

Although Indian Army improved considerably after half-time and created a couple of genuine openings, East Bengal remained in control for much of the contest, enjoying around 80 per cent of the overall possession.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade ultimately secured a deserved victory, although their dominance could have been reflected in a more emphatic scoreline had they converted the numerous clear-cut opportunities they created. (ANI)

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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure complete financial transparency in Indian Premier League player trades. In his Mid-Day column, the legendary batter called for all financial details of high-profile franchise transfers to be made public.

The IPL has seen several major player trades outside the traditional auction process. With the trading window open, franchises are exploring direct player swaps and other deals to strengthen their squads. Several teams are expected to remain active in the trade market during the ongoing IPL off-season.

Sunil Gavaskar Demands Public Disclosure of IPL Trade Amounts

Sunil Gavaskar believes the current IPL trading system lacks transparency because only the two franchises, the player and the BCCI, know the financial details of a trade. He argued that the remaining franchises should also have access to the figures to ensure every team follows the salary cap rules.

“There’s some speculation in the media about the possible switching of players from one franchise to another. There’s, of course, still some time for that window to be closed. However, while transfer of a player from one franchise to another is in the public domain, when a trade takes place, then the numbers are known only to the two franchises, the player and BCCI,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column.

“In such a situation, the other franchises don’t know if the salary cap that every franchise has for its squad was maintained or breached. That’s why it’s important for full transparency that the numbers are also out in the public domain,” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar Wants IPL to Avoid ‘Finger-Pointing’

Sunil Gavaskar also stated that transparency would help protect the IPL's reputation. He believes making trade amounts public would reduce questions about whether teams have followed the competition's rules.

“The IPL is the greatest T20 league in the world, and it’s therefore crucial that full transparency is maintained so that there’s no finger-pointing at it from those jealous of it,” Gavaskar wrote.

The former India captain's comments come at a time when player trades has become an important part of IPL squad planning. Franchises now use the trading window to make major changes outside the mini auction.

Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Sanju Samson Feature in Recent Trades

Several high-profile trades have taken place around the IPL in recent seasons. Before the 2026 season, Sanju Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings, with his league fee reported at ₹18 crore.

After the 2026 season, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants completed another major swap involving Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav. Pant moved from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals for a reported ₹15 crore fee, while Kuldeep joined Lucknow for ₹13.50 crore.

Hardik Pandya has also returned to the centre of trade speculation. The Mumbai Indians all-rounder previously made the biggest trade in IPL history when he moved from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians before the 2024 season. However, there is no official confirmation of his departure from Mumbai.

Also read: BCCI ACSU puts TNPL, DPL & other Indian leagues under scanner amid corruption concerns

The Indian women’s hockey team dished out a valiant performance as it held Paris Olympics silver medallists China to a 2-2 draw to start its Hockey World Cup campaign on a high note here on Sunday.

In what was considered as their toughest match in Pool D, India dominated the opening quarter and prevented China from playing their natural game. By halftime, India were 2-1 ahead.

Had India been awarded penalty corner in the final quarter, the outcome could have been different. Navneet Kaur, who was in excellent form throughout the match, tried to penetrate the opposition circle in the final moments, but China thwarted her attempt.

After the match, Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed his displeasure over India not being awarded a penalty corner.

“I don’t know why that PC was not given,” said Marijne.

Navneet (8^th minute) and Deepika (26^th) scored for India, while Zhang Ying struck from a penalty stroke in the 14^th minute before Ma Ning found the equalising goal for China, converting a penalty corner in the 39^th minute.

India will next play South Africa on August 18. England defeated South Africa 4-0 in another match of the day.

India started aggressively, and in the second minute, Sunelita Toppo entered the circle from the left wing. She passed the ball to Deepika whose deflected attempt was blocked by Chinese goalkeeper Li Ting.

Soon after, Lalremsiami entered the circle after receiving the ball from Baljit and earned a penalty corner for India.

Drag-flicker Deepika was not on the field at the time, and Navneet took the shot in her absence, but was unsuccessful.

Navneet, who was adjudged Player of the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad with four goals, gave India their first breakthrough in the eighth minute.

India received a free hit, and Neha passed the ball to Navneet in the circle. Navneet displayed excellent timing and control to score a field goal.

The first quarter was completely dominated by India. Baljit and Lalremsiami performed brilliantly from both wings, while the forward line penetrated the Chinese circle several times.

However, the referee awarded China a penalty stroke in the last minute of the first quarter, ruling that Shilpi Dabas had obstructed China’s Zhang Ying. India took the referral, which was rejected by the TV umpire, and Ying scored the equalizer for China.

Shilpi prevented China from taking the lead early in the second quarter by blocking Peng Yang’s reverse hit.

The Indian forwards continued their attacks, resulting in a penalty corner in the 22^nd minute. Navneet’s first and rebound shot were denied by the Chinese defence. Lalremsiami was also injured on the second hit and had to leave the field for a while.

Deepika restored India’s lead from a penalty corner, scoring in the 24^th minute. China’s video referral against the decision was unsuccessful as they trailed 1-2 at the halftime.

China made a comeback in the third quarter and kept the Indian defence busy with continuous attacks. The Indian players, who had been aggressive in the first quarter, played defensive hockey, which China capitalized on.

Savita, the most experienced player in the tournament, playing her 314^th international match, made a brilliant save in the 33^rd minute to prevent China from restoring parity.

Five minutes later, she saved another Peng Yang shot, but Ma Ning equalized in the next minute from a penalty corner.

China were awarded another penalty corner and Savita once again used her experience to thwart Zhang Ying’s attempt.

In the final quarter, Navneet sent a cross Lalremsiami inside the circle in the 52^nd minute, but she was a bit slow to trap the ball. Before she could take a shot on the rebound, Chinese defenders snatched the ball away.

The following minute, China’s Zhou Meirong received a green card, forcing her side to play with ten players for two minutes, but India failed to capitalize.

China earned two consecutive penalty corners in the 56^th minute but failed to score. Navneet made a circle penetration in the final moments of the match but India could not get a penalty corner.