Shillong Lajong FC stunned last year’s runners-up Emami East Bengal 2-1 in the second quarter-finals to book their place in the semi-finals of the Durand Cup.

Marcos Rudwere Silva and Figo Syndai scored for the home side while Nandhakumar Sekar scored for the Calcutta side on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Carles Cuadrat fielded a strong starting XI with Dimitrios Diamantakos, Madih Talal and David Lalhlasanga leading the attack and Saul Crespo manning the midfield, along with Jeakson Singh. Jose Hevia fielded his strongest starting line-up in front of the jam-packed stadium.

The home side stunned the Calcutta giants in the eighth minute when they took the lead through Marcos Rudwere Silva.

Hardy Cliff Nongbri sent in a perfect corner kick which was met by Rudwere and the Brazilian expertly finished to increase the decibels in the stadium.

The red and gold brigade increased the tempo, attacking the Lajong goal in every possible move. They had a barrage of chances to equalise, but the attacks were either thwarted by the home side defence or saved the goalkeeper Manas Dubey. The ones which were not interfered by the defence were wasted by the attackers.

Rudwere Silva could have added a second goal soon but his header from yet another set-piece hit the crossbar and went out.

There was a clear pattern in play as East Bengal were pressing hard for the equaliser while the Red Dragons depended on the counter attacks. The Calcutta side attacked without much purpose and the Lajong defence was not troubled.

East Bengal finally found their reward for their relentless pressure in the 77th minute.

Vishnu PK found Nandhakumar Sekar free at the far post and the Tamil Nadu winger calmly found the bottom corner with a side-footed finish to make the scores level.

East Bengal then pushed for the winner which opened up spaces for the home side to counterattack. And Lajong troubled the rival defence.