IFA Shield: East Bengal knocked out by Bangladeshi club

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on Tuesday outplayed record 28-time winners East Bengal 3-0 to become the second Bangladeshi outfit after Dhaka's Mohammedan Sporting to make it to the final of the 118th IFA Shield.

The Dhanmondi club, who ousted Mohun Bagan to deny a local derby in the semis, continued their fine momentum as their foreigner trio of Nigerian Ameka Darlington (22nd), Haitians Sony Norde (37th) and Wedson Anselme (66th) scored a goal each to complete the rout.

Playing in front of a boisterous home support at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the red and gold brigade did not have any chance and had more setback in store as they were reduced to 10 players after defender Arnab Mondal was sent off following a double yellow in the fag end of the match.

Going all out for an attack, Wedson's measured cross was finely utilised by Emeka who headed it home to give Dhanmondi a glorious first-half lead.

Before East Bengal could regroup, Dhanmondi's last match hero Norde added to the tally with a brilliant surge from the left to put the ball into the far post from an acute angle.

There was no stopping Dhamondi who completed the tally with Wedson finally getting his name in the scorecard when his right footer found the back of the net after taking a deflection of Raju Gaikwad.

It was also a double setback for coach Armando Colaco after their group stage exit in the Federation Cup before they resume I-League where also their chances are slim.

The Dhamondi side will chase history to become first Bangladeshi club to win the Shield when they take on the winners of United SC and Mohammedan Sporting in the summit clash on February 15.

Before this, Dhaka's Mohammedan Sporting was the only Bangladeshi side to make the Shield final way back in the 1995 edition.