Ranchi: SC Delhi staged a striking second-half fightback to defeat Manipur debutants FC Raengdai 5-1 on Sunday, setting up a Durand Cup semi-final showdown against Kolkata giants East Bengal.

After Chongtham Kishan Singh's (9th) long-range strike gave Raengdai a first-half lead, substitute Joseph Sunny (57th, 67th) scored twice after the break to turn the tie around.

Rodriguinho (82nd), Juan Sebastian Pena (90+3), and Augustine Lalrochana (90+8) also found the net for SC Delhi in the quarter-final clash.

In Kolkata, a first-half header from PV Vishnu enabled East Bengal FC to edge past a resilient Indian Army FT team 1-0 in another quarter-final.

The semi-final between East Bengal and SC Delhi will take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 19.

At Ranchi's Birsa Munda Stadium, FC Raengdai opened the scoring in spectacular fashion against SC Delhi.

Chongtham Kishan Singh unleashed a powerful strike from roughly 20 metres that dipped late, clipped the underside of the crossbar, and bounced into the net, leaving SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes with no chance.

SC Delhi pushed for an immediate response, launching a series of attacks, but Raengdai's defence—marshalled by Rojen Meetei, Lanchungrei Pamei, and Amitkumar Singh—remained disciplined to deny them.

At the other end, Khaidem Amarjit Singh proved lively for the debutants as the match developed into a fast-paced, end-to-end affair.

SC Delhi restarted with greater intensity, and the introduction of Sunny proved pivotal.

The substitute nearly had an immediate impact in the 52nd minute following a fine run before laying the ball off to Rodriguinho, whose effort appeared bound for the net until Kamei Pantiga produced a brilliant save to preserve Raengdai's advantage.

Five minutes later, however, the goalkeeper was beaten. Pena executed a clever movement before finding Sunny, who collected the ball on the edge of the box and slotted a low finish between two defenders into the bottom-left corner to equalise.

The equaliser transformed SC Delhi's composure. Ten minutes later, Pena orchestrated another attack, executing a no-look pass that released Sunny on a run into the penalty area. Facing Pantiga one-on-one, the substitute calmly converted to complete the comeback.

Rodriguinho added a third four minutes later, demonstrating poise to beat two defenders while maintaining control before slotting a left-footed shot past Pantiga to make it 3-1.

The closing stages brought a flurry of goals. In the third minute of injury time, Pena embarked on a dribbling run into the box before executing a subtle no-look finish to extend the lead to 4-1.

SC Delhi added a fifth before the final whistle when substitute Augustine Lalrochana gathered the ball on the left in the eighth minute of added time, drove into the penalty area, and finished into the far corner to complete the 5-1 victory.

At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, East Bengal established control from the start, dominating possession and pinning the Army side deep in their half.

Indian Army struggled to construct sustained spells of possession, frequently resorting to long balls to relieve pressure.

East Bengal's best opening of the first half arrived in the 29th minute when Jay Gupta delivered a cross for Vishnu, who found himself unmarked in a one-on-one situation, but his low shot went straight to the goalkeeper.

East Bengal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Christopher Ikonomidis delivered an inviting cross into the area, allowing Vishnu to make amends by rising highest to direct a header into the right corner. Thakuri got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from entering the net as East Bengal took a 1-0 lead.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade retained control for the remainder of the half, with Mohamad Basim Rashid trying a long-range attempt shortly before the interval that drifted wide.

East Bengal almost doubled their advantage around the hour mark when substitute Jesin TK intercepted a long clearance from Rashid and raced past the advancing goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.

In the 80th minute, Bipin Singh picked out Jesin TK with a precise pass, but the forward failed to convert from close range. Moments later, Jesin set up Bipin, but the winger squandered his one-on-one chance.

Jesin had another opportunity to seal the match in the 87th minute when he met a cross from Edmund, but his header went directly at Thakuri.

With five minutes of injury time added, Indian Army nearly salvaged a late equaliser against the run of play.

In the 91st minute, Abhishek Shankar Pawar unleashed a dangerous strike that briefly threatened East Bengal's lead, but the Kolkata side held on to secure the win.

PTI