The report says Gill made the key save in normal time, denying Rodrigo from the spot in the first half. He then reportedly set the tone again in the shootout by stopping SC Delhi’s opening kick.
That sequence matters in knockout football:
For a club with Durand Cup pedigree, that kind of composure is often the difference between control and collapse.
The update says East Bengal were the more threatening side across the 90 minutes. Early attacking pressure, repeated deliveries into the box and multiple efforts against the woodwork point to a team that created enough to avoid penalties.
That is the encouraging part for the final: the chances were there. The concern is equally obvious. Dominance without a goal can keep underdogs in the contest for too long.
Reports suggest this is East Bengal’s 28th Durand Cup final, a reminder of the club’s long relationship with this competition. The next opponent will be either Mohun Bagan or NorthEast United, and each storyline is strong in its own way. A derby would bring history and noise; a meeting with NorthEast United would bring the challenge of facing the defending champions.
Either way, the next question is clear: can East Bengal turn semifinal control into final-day conviction? After surviving one tense night, they now have a shot at making it count.