Spain’s Javier Siverio produced the solitary aim as East Bengal beat Punjab FC 1-0 within the ultimate Group A recreation to qualify for the knockout levels of the Durand Cup in Kolkata on Wednesday. Siverio bought the all-important aim within the twenty second minute as East Bengal grew to become the second workforce after Chennaiyin FC to make the quarter-final stage of Asia’s oldest soccer event, courtesy topping the group with seven factors from three video games.

It was an expert efficiency by the house aspect as regardless of extreme stress utilized by Punjab for the equaliser, they didn’t succumb.

PFC’s Greek coach Staikos Vergetis made seven modifications to the taking part in 11 that began towards the Bangladesh Military within the earlier recreation, whereas EB’s Spanish coach Carles Cuadrat made just one, bringing in Nishu Kumar for Mandar Rao Desai.

Nevertheless, their attacking model was related with each leaving one striker upfront and two wingers in help.

Spanish winger Juan Mera, taking part in towards his former membership, took the primary punt at aim inside 5 minutes, however his shot from vary was saved by keeper Prabhsukan Gill, who as soon as once more had an important day below the bar with two consecutive clear sheets now.

After the preliminary sparring, EB’s Australian defender Jordan Elsey got here shut on the 20-minute mark with a header off a set-piece. It was effectively labored out by Borja Herrera and Nandhakumar, however the effort was deflected out by the PFC defence.

The aim got here off the ensuing nook as Naorem Mahesh Singh labored it quick with Borja, who then floated it in fantastically for Javier Siverio to leap the best and direct his header away from keeper Kiran Limbu’s attain and into the online.

The Spaniard practically doubled the lead within the fortieth minute when he related with one other header and beat Kiran once more, however the ball hit the woodwork and got here again.

Simply earlier than the break, Brandon did get a golden alternative to equalise, however his effort was too weak to trouble Prabhsukan. So did Juan Mera on the stroke of half-time with a direct free-kick within the hazard zone simply outdoors the field, however his effort too was means over.