SC Delhi produced a stunning second-half turnaround to book their place in the semi-finals of the 135th Durand Cup, defeating debutants FC Raengdai 5-1 at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium on Sunday.

Raengdai appeared to be on course for a famous upset after Chongtham Kishan Singh gave them a first-half lead with a spectacular long-range strike. However, SC Delhi completely transformed after the interval, with substitute Joseph Sunny scoring twice before Rodriguinho, Juan Sebastian Pena and Augustine Lalrochana completed a memorable comeback.

Raengdai began the contest brightly, dominating possession and pressing SC Delhi high up the pitch. Their positive approach was rewarded in the ninth minute when Kishan Singh unleashed a powerful effort from around 20 metres. The shot dipped late, struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, leaving goalkeeper Nora Fernandes helpless.

SC Delhi responded with sustained pressure but struggled to find a way through a well-organised Raengdai defence. Captain Lamgoulen Semkholun and Lalrinliana Hnamte came close, with the latter seeing a header hit the post.

Raengdai therefore went into half-time with a deserved 1-0 advantage.

The match changed dramatically after the restart. SC Delhi introduced Joseph Sunny, and the substitute quickly became the catalyst for the comeback.

After coming close to scoring in the 52nd minute, Sunny found the breakthrough five minutes later. He received the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a low finish between two defenders and into the bottom corner.

The equaliser gave SC Delhi fresh momentum, and Sunny struck again in the 67th minute. Juan Sebastian Peña produced an outstanding no-look pass to release the substitute behind the defence, and Sunny calmly finished the one-on-one to complete the turnaround.

Raengdai goalkeeper Kamei Pantiga kept his side alive with several impressive saves, denying Rodriguinho on multiple occasions. But SC Delhi’s pressure eventually told.

In the 82nd minute, Rodriguinho finally found the net, showing excellent composure to beat two defenders before placing a left-footed finish beyond Pantiga.

SC Delhi then added two goals deep into stoppage time. Peña made it 4-1 with a clever individual run and composed finish before Augustine Lalrochana completed the rout with a stylish strike into the far corner.

The victory sends SC Delhi into the Durand Cup semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between Indian Army Football Team and East Bengal FC on August 19 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.