KOLKATA: When East Bengal FC and Gokulam Kerala FC faced each other last time in Durand Cup — back in 2019 in a pre-Covid world, the Kozhikode-based side stunned the home team in semifinals via a penalty shootout and then beat Mohun Bagan on way to clinching their first ever trophy since having come into being two years earlier.
Both teams have undergone a sea change since then and none has any survivor of that match. However, East Bengal — now playing in the Indian Super League — will again have the home advantage and a bit of momentum as they face the former I-League champions in the second quarterfinal of the Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.
