DUDU SENDS EB INTO FINAL Bhubaneswar, April 16:
Dudu Omegbemi struck the matchwinner in East Bengal’s 1-0 win over FC Goa in the semi-finals of the inaugural Super Cup, here on Monday.
After a goalless first half, Nigerian striker Dudu broke the deadlock in 78th minute.
East Bengal now await the winners of the second semi-final between Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC.
East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil opted for a 4-5-1 combination with Dudu the lone striker up front and Ugandan Khalid Aucho getting his first start in midfield.
FC Goa’s coach Derick Pereira fielded a 4-4-2 with Manvir Singh partnering Spaniard Ferran Corominas (Coro) in attack.
East Bengal had the better chances in a scrappy first half with Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna failing to tap in a cross from inside the box by Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa.
East Bengal continued to press hard for a goal in the second half and Dudu finally broke the deadlock when he tapped in from another quality cross from the left flank by Katsumi.
BFC COACH WARY OF MOHUN BAGAN
Meanwhile, Bengaluru start favourites against Bagan in their semi-final on Tuesday, but coach Alberto Roca termed the Kolkata giants a team with a “lot of character”.
With India captain Sunil Chhetri in prolific form, on paper the ‘Blues’ are way ahead of the green and maroon brigade but Shankarlal Chakraborty coached Bagan on their day can be a handful for any opposition.
Roca wants his men to guard against complacency and is not exactly fond of the favourites’ tag.
“Bagan are a more difficult team than those we have faced so far.”