Durand Cup 2021: Delhi FC beat Kerala Blasters by 1-0 to enter the quarterfinals
Delhi FC saw off a late push from Kerala Blasters to beat the Indian Super League (ISL) side 1-0 and enter the quarterfinals of the 2021 Durand Cup at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.
In the other Group C
decider, Bengaluru FC came back from 0-2 down to win 5-3 at the Salt Lake
Stadium to seal their knockouts berth.
With all four teams of Group C having a
mathematical chance to qualify in the final round of matches, things were
expected to be competitive, despite difficult pitch conditions due to heavy
rain. Wth Navy Leading 2-0 at half time, Blasters had a glimmer of hope in
their match, which was deadlocked 0-0.
It was important for Blasters or Delhi to score
early in the second half and take advantage by adding pressure on the
opposition. Delhi managed to do just that, in the 53rd minute, and defended
their hearts out as Blasters went into hyperdrive to wrest the advantage back.
Willis Deon
Plaza gave Delhi the lead in the 53rd minute, and the I-League second division
side did what was expected. Defend. They are in the knockouts and with Plaza,
who is the top scorer of the tournament with four goals, in good form.