Kolkata: Twin goals from Spaniard Pedro Manzi saw FC Bengaluru United ( FCBU) to be the first team to make it to the knockout stages of the 130th edition of Durand Cup after they bagged a 4-2 win against Indian Air Force in a Group A encounter at Kalyani Stadium on September 9. At the same time, at a different location Army Reds began their Durand Cup 2021 campaign with a win against Assam Rifles.
Manzi, who was the best player in FCBU’S encounter against CRPF FC held his stan as he found the net twice and even set up Yumnam Gopi for two as his side went forward with six points.
Although Vivek Kumar from Indian Air Force found an early chance to put his team ahead but it went vain. Manzi put his team in lead from a spot kick after Air Force defender Davinder Singh was ruled to have handled the ball. Seven minutes later Manzi set up Gopi to extend the lead. With three minutes left to the break, Vivek pulled a goal back for the regimental side.
The second half saw the Air men as a reformed side and in about seven minutes Vivek scored his second equalizing for his team. Gopi broke the deadlock for his side at the 71st minute before Manzi extended the lead in the extra time to secure the win.
Liton Shil, Bikash Thapa , Sushil Shah and Suresh Metei featured in the score sheet as the Army Reds ran riots against Assam Rifles who could pull back only a solitary goal courtesy of Samujal Rabha in an encounter of Group D. With the three points in the bag Army Reds sit at the top of the table.
