East Bengal lastly earned a degree this Indian Tremendous League season after they drew 0-0 towards Mohammedan Sporting Membership in Kolkata on Saturday.
Regardless of taking place to 9 gamers with over an hour to go, East Bengal held agency to open their factors account for the season after shedding all their earlier 6 league matches. They, nonetheless, are nonetheless lodged on the backside of the desk with 1 factors from 7 matches. Debutants Mohammedan Sporting, in the meantime, are second-last on the desk with 5 factors.
Contemporary off making quarterfinals within the AFC Problem League, East Bengal, who had struggled to within the ISL till now, confirmed a new-found confidence beneath their new head coach Oscar Bruzon. India star defender Anwar Ali confirmed his true potential, not solely as a defender but in addition as a frontrunner of males.
He maintained the cohesion among the many backline and saved the damaging duo of Franca and Loni Manzoki at bay all through.
The match noticed a dramatic first half for East Bengal, who have been decreased to 9 gamers after two pink playing cards in fast succession.
The drama unfolded within the twenty eighth minute when Nandhakumar Sekar was proven a pink card for violent conduct after swinging his arm at MSC’s Amarjit Kiyam Singh.
Simply moments later, Mahesh was given a second yellow for displaying dissent, leaving EBFC in disarray.
Regardless of the setbacks, the Bruzon-coached remained compact defensively and managed to maintain Mohammedan at bay.
Mohammedan Sporting had the lion’s share of possession all through the match, creating quite a few probabilities, however was unable to interrupt down East Bengal’s citadel.
Alexis Gomez and Franca have been notably harmful, creating alternatives on the left, however every cross was both cleared away or denied by EB goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, who produced a number of key saves.
The second half noticed Mohammedan proceed their dominance, however East Bengal’s line of defense held agency.
Zodingliana Ralte had an opportunity to open the scoring within the 68th minute however blasted his volley over the bar.
Regardless of the fixed wave of assault from MSC, East Bengal’s defence stood resolute with essential blocks and tackles from Hijazi Maher, Mohammed Rakip, and Lalchungnunga.
Within the dying moments of the sport, MSC earned a freekick in a harmful place, however the supply was cleared by EB’s defenders.
(With company inputs)
