NorthEast United and East Bengal will face each other for the first time in the Durand Cup.
The 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup is now at its business end, with the first semi-final between the home side Emami East Bengal (EEB) and the plucky NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) set to take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) turf on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 6:00 PM IST.
NorthEast United FC are playing their best tournament football in a long time. They have a young and experienced squad that has gelled well under new Spanish coach Juan Pedro Benali. If they can travel well and settle in quickly after coming down from Guwahati, they will surely give the home side a tough fight.
Coach Juan Pedro Benali is aware of the importance of the semi-final against East Bengal. NorthEast United FC do have the upper hand in the head-to-head record against East Bengal, but they will need to create history if they want to beat the resurgent 16-time Durand Cup champions in their own backyard in front of their home fans.
East Bengal have not been infallible in the IndianOil Durand Cup this year. They made six goals, but they have also admitted three. NorthEast United FC fans will take heart from this, as they have scored 10 goals and conceded the same number.
East Bengal have been getting the job done when it matters most. This was evident in their clinical victory over former champions Gokulam in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the semi-final against Northeast United, Carles Cuadrat, the East Bengal coach, was pragmatic and respectful of his opponents. NorthEast United have been unbeaten in the tournament so far.