Federation Cup: Uilliams' late winner dumps out East Bengal, takes Shillong to semis

East Bengal XI (4-2-3-1): Rehenesh TP(GK), Deepak Mandal, Arnab Mondal(C), Bello Rassaq, Narayan Das, Mehtab Hossain, Harmanjot Khabra, Sanju Pradhan, Do Dong-Hyun, Lalrindika Ralte, Ranti Martins.

They welcomed Shillong at the Barasat Stadium needing an inspirational performance to keep their season alive, and Trevor Morgan made just one change to the lineup from the first leg. Shylo Malsawmtluanga was replaced by Sanju Pradhan on the right wing, with the Red and Gold brigade in desperate need of goals.

The home side made a bright start to the game with a lot of aggressive intent in the midfield. Mehtab Hossain, in particular, put in some crunching challenges, and it was clear that Trevor Morgan had special instructions for him to deal with Shillong's prime orchestrator Penn Orji.

However, it was the away side who took the lead in the 17th minute after Deepak Mandal stopped Bipin Singh's cross with his hand. Fabio Pena, who scored the winner in the first leg, stepped up and converted from the spot to give his team a 1-3 aggregate lead in the tie.

That goal, and a mini water break, gave East Bengal the lift they needed and they moved forward in numbers, buoyed on by the home support, in search of their second goal. The goal arrived in the 36th minute, and it was a thing of beauty.

After some lovely interplay between Deepak and Sanju down the right wing, the later picked out Dong inside the Shillong box with a low cross. The South Korean set up Lalrindika Ralte with a delightful cushion touch, and the attacking midfielder delightfully curled the ball into the top corner of the far post with his left leg. The goalkeeper could only watch in dismay, as Dika wheeled away towards the supporters in jubilation. That goal made it 2-1, and restored parity in the tie with the aggregate score finely balanced at 3-3.

The Frenchman moved to the midfield with Khabra taking up the role of the right back. Mendy's presence added a lot of physicality and drive from the center of the park. East Bengal created, and missed, a host of chances in final third, when they could have easily put the tie to bed.

Neither team could find the deciding goal in second half, as the tie went into extra time. With the players tiring under the hot weather, chances were few and far between for both teams. The home side dominated most of the possession, however, it was Shillong who scored the all-important second away goal, in the second half of the extra time.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw with Shillong booking their place in the semis of the Fed Cup with a 4-3 aggregate win over East Bengal.

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