Emami East Bengal qualified for the knockout stage of the Durand Cup, defeating Punjab FC by a solitary goal in their final Group A game at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday.

With this win, East Bengal became the second team after Chennaiyin FC to make the quarter-final stage as they topped the group with seven points from three games.

Spaniard Javier Siverio got the all-important goal in the 22nd minute of the first half, which eventually clinched the game for East Bengal.

One needs to laud the East Bengal defence too as in spite of severe pressure applied by the Punjab outfit for the equaliser and having lesser ball possession, Carles Cuadrat’s men did not fumble during tense situations. Maybe a stronger strike force could have tested them further.

At the 20-minute mark, East Bengal’s Australian defender Jordan Elsey came close with a header off a set-piece, but his effort was in vain.

The goal came off the resulting corner as Naorem Mahesh Singh kept it for Borja, who then floated it in beautifully for Siverio to leap high and head home, giving the rival goalkeeper no chance.