Rodriguinho Nets Five as SC Delhi Dominates Defenders FC in Durand Cup Rout
Brazilian forward Rodriguinho delivered a historic performance in Ranchi, scoring five goals to secure SC Delhi's 7-0 victory. This second Group C win moves the club closer to the tournament's quarterfinal stage.
Key takeaways
- SC Delhi currently sits at the top of Group C with six points following two wins.
- Brazilian forward Rodriguinho scored five goals, including a 12-minute hat-trick on his debut.
- East Bengal remains in contention for the quarterfinals after a 5-0 victory over South United FC.
Ranchi Clash Ends in Seven-Goal Shutout
SC Delhi asserted their dominance in Group C of the Durand Cup on Friday, dismantling Sri Lankan side Defenders FC with a 7-0 victory at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Morabadi. The match was defined by a remarkable debut from Brazilian attacker Rodriguinho, who secured a hat-trick within the opening twelve minutes of play.
Tactical Breakdown of the Delhi Victory
The Tomasz Tchórz-led squad established control early. Rodriguinho opened the scoring in the sixth minute, controlling a pass and turning to fire a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. He added two more goals in the eighth and twelfth minutes to complete his rapid hat-trick. By the halftime whistle, Delhi held a commanding 4-0 lead after Mohammed Aimen found the net in the 34th minute.
Defenders FC failed to mount a significant response as the match concluded. Delhi added three more goals during the final stages of the second half. Substitute Juan Sebastian Peña scored in the 92nd minute, while Rodriguinho capped his five-goal tally with strikes in the 89th minute and during stoppage time.
East Bengal Keeps Quarterfinal Hopes Alive
In concurrent Group A action at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, East Bengal secured a 5-0 win over South United FC. This result marks their second victory of the tournament, sustaining their pursuit of a knockout round position. The scoring featured a sixth-minute goal from Ramirez, followed by strikes from Bashim Rashid, Bhaatt, Bipin, and David Hmar.
Key Facts
- SC Delhi leads Group C with six points after two consecutive wins.
- Rodriguinho's five-goal haul included a hat-trick completed in the first 12 minutes of his Durand Cup debut.
- The 7-0 result against Defenders FC is one of the most lopsided scores in the current tournament edition.
- East Bengal moved to two wins in Group A following their five-goal shutout of South United FC.
Source: The Hindu — Sport
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