Ranchi, Aug 10: SC Delhi produced another dominant attacking display to thrash Indian Air Force FT 7-1 and seal their place in the quarter-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup as Group C winners at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Monday.
Juan Sebastián Peña scored twice for SC Delhi, while Rodriguinho, Duvan Mina, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Clarence Savio Fernandes and Richard Ndayishimiye also found the net as the Delhi side completed a perfect group-stage campaign with three wins from three matches.
Samuel K. Vanlalpeka scored the lone goal for the Indian Air Force.
The victory took SC Delhi to nine points from three matches, comfortably securing top spot in Group C. Indian Air Force remain third with three points from two matches and will face Jamshedpur FC in their final group fixture on August 13.
SC Delhi made a fast start and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Juan Peña spotted the run of left-back Yanglem Sanatomba Singh into the box and played a precise pass into his path. Sanatomba then squared the ball across the six-yard box, where Rodriguinho arrived ahead of his marker to tap home.
The Air Force attempted to respond with a more direct approach, using long balls and set-pieces, but SC Delhi’s defence dealt comfortably with the aerial threat.
SC Delhi doubled their lead in the 39th minute through Peña, who produced a moment of individual brilliance. The midfielder controlled a high ball with an excellent first touch, beat his marker and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike into the top corner.
The Delhi side continued to threaten before the break, with Joseph Sunny hitting the crossbar from a set-piece as SC Delhi went into half-time 2-0 ahead.
Indian Air Force came out strongly after the restart and pulled a goal back in the 50th minute. Somananda Singh controlled the second ball following a clearance before setting up Samuel Vanlalpeka, who curled a superb effort into the top corner.
The comeback, however, lasted only five minutes.
SC Delhi restored their two-goal advantage in the 55th minute when Duvan Mina rose highest to meet a corner. His header took a deflection off Jijo Jerone and found the back of the net.
The floodgates then opened for SC Delhi.
Lalrinliana Hnamte made it 4-1 in the 63rd minute after Mohammad Danish failed to clear a cross. The midfielder controlled the ball on his chest before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
Peña added his second of the match just two minutes later. Mohammed Azhar won possession and immediately released the midfielder with a precise through ball, allowing Peña to finish confidently and make it 5-1.
SC Delhi continued to exploit their superiority from set-pieces and added a sixth in the 79th minute. Azhar delivered a pinpoint corner, which substitute Clarence Savio Fernandes met with a powerful header. Goalkeeper Dinesh got a hand to the effort but could not prevent it from crossing the line.
SC Delhi controlled the tempo thereafter, keeping possession and comfortably managing the remainder of the contest.
There was still time for one more goal in stoppage time. Hnamte found substitute Richard Ndayishimiye, who produced a composed left-footed curling finish into the bottom corner in the fourth minute of added time to complete the 7-1 rout.
With three wins from three matches, SC Delhi finish the group stage with a perfect nine points and advance to the Durand Cup quarter-finals as Group C winners.
Indian Air Force, meanwhile, will have one final opportunity to qualify when they take on Jamshedpur FC on August 13.
