Ranchi: SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat debutants FC Raengdai of Manipur 5-1 and storm into the semifinals of the Durand Cup football tournament here on Sunday.
After Chongtham Kishan Singh's (9th minute) stunning long-range strike had put Raengdai ahead in the first half, substitute Joseph Sunny's (57th, 67th) second-half brace turned the game around. Rodriguinho (82nd), Juan Sebastian Pena (90+3) and Augustine Lalrochana (90+8) were the other SC Delhi goal scorers in the quarter-final match.
FC Raengdai made their intentions clear from the opening whistle, controlling possession, moving the ball patiently and pressing high.
SC Delhi, however, threatened on the counter in the seventh minute when captain Lamgoulen Semkholun delivered an excellent cross from the right. Pena produced a fantastic leap to direct his header towards the far post, but the ball bounced over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, FC Raengdai took the lead in spectacular fashion. Chongtham Kishan Singh unleashed a bullet of a shot from around 20 metres that dipped late, struck the inside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, leaving SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes with no chance.