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Kerala Blasters Secure 2-1 Victory Over East Bengal in Thrilling ISL Clash

Both teams will now play in the league on a double header on November 25. East Bengal FC will take on Chennaiyin FC in the home turf of the latter, whereas the Kerala Blasters FC will host Hyderabad FC…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Blasters FC put on a strong display that led to a 2-1 victory against East Bengal FC at the Salt Lake Stadium here in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on Saturday. Moreover, as has been the case right throughout the season, it was their charismatic captain Adrian Luna who steered the Blasters to a crucial victory on the road before the team heads into the international break.

The Uruguayan international was constantly teasing the East Bengal backline, finding out opportunities that could help him create a chance out of nowhere. One such chance emerged in the 32nd minute, as Luna spotted a disoriented opposition defence and carved it open with a crafty pass for fellow teammate Daisuke Sakai.

The 26-year-old immediately rushed into the box, tricked Mohamad Rakip with quick footwork and shot the ball past Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to hand his side the lead. Sakai thus became only the fourth Japanese player to score a goal in ISL history, after Cy Goddard, Katsumi Yusa, and Rei Tachikawa.

If Luna has been Kerala’s star in attack, young goalkeeper Sachin Suresh has come up as a surprise package at the back. His distribution has been commendable, recording a 57% passing success rate in six appearances so far. However, it his shot-stopping that has made heads turn, as he saved a penalty in his second successive game on Saturday. Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva had a brilliant opportunity to draw scores level in the 85th minute, but Sachin dived to his right and saved the shot amidst joyous celebration from his teammates, becoming the first goalkeeper in ISL history to save penalties in consecutive matches.

East Bengal were shaken for a bit after that event, and the Blasters immediately capitalised as Sandeep Singh’s delivery to Dimitrios Diamantakos met little resistance with the effort eventually being converted into a goal in the 88th minute. The Greek striker was shown his second yellow card soon afterwards though, thus getting sent off in the 89th minute. That one-man advantage led to the home side earning a spot-kick in the ninth minute of added time, and Silva did convert the penalty this time around. Only, there weren’t enough minutes left for them to salvage an equaliser eventually.

Sachin Suresh (Kerala Blasters FC), the 22-year-old became the eighth youngest goalkeeper in ISL history to save a spot-kick, and his ability to elevate his game at crucial junctures has helped the Blasters secure important points in two straight games now. There is a lot more impressive performances to come from this talented custodian in the coming matches of this campaign.

Both teams will now play in the league on a double header on November 25. East Bengal FC will take on Chennaiyin FC in the home turf of the latter, whereas the Kerala Blasters FC will host Hyderabad FC.

Brief Scores; Kerala Blasters FC 2 (Daisuke Sakai 32’, Dimitrios Diamantakos 88’) – 1 (Cleiton Silva 99’) East Bengal FC

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India News

East Bengal register emphatic 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC

ISL 2022-23: East Bengal register emphatic 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC. (Credit : ISL/twitter)

Silva played in a slightly deeper role just behind the forward, and found joy a couple of times in this freer role, taking a few uncosted long shots throughout the half…reports Asian Lite News

East Bengal FC broke their winless run against NorthEast United FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Thursday.

A first-half goal from Cleiton Silva (11′), and second-half strikes from Charis Kyriakou (53′) and Jordan O’Doherty (84′) ensured the three points for East Bengal FC, before Matt Doherty’s consolation goal (90+2′) opened NorthEast United’s goal account for the season.

Stephen Constantine made four changes to the East Bengal FC lineup that lost 2-1 to FC Goa. In the opposite dugout, Marco Balbul, who had now served his one-match suspension, had made one change to the lineup since the 3-0 loss to Hyderabad FC by bringing Rochharzela into the starting XI.

It took a while for the two teams to find their rhythm with the game’s first real chance coming in the 10th minute when Cleiton Silva smashed a volley from range at NorthEast United FC’s goal, but Silva didn’t have to wait long to get his goal.

East Bengal FC took the lead a minute later after some diligent work from Mahesh Naorem Singh. NorthEast United FC’s Mohamed Irshad got caught on the ball during the team’s build-up, which gave Mahesh Noarem Singh an opportunity to pinch it from the full-back before laying it to the open Silva, who made no mistake with his finish.

Silva played in a slightly deeper role just behind the forward, and found joy a couple of times in this freer role, taking a few uncosted long shots throughout the half.

NorthEast United FC had most of the possession in the first-half but were struggling to create any real chances – East Bengal FC had a solid block in front of goal. Balbul decided to take some action early by making two changes in the 31st minute, bringing Emil Benny and Aaron Evans on for Romain Philippoteaux and Mohamed Irshad.

It looked like the Highlanders were going to end the half without any shots on target but a speculative effort from Emil Benny in the 45th minute led to a rebound that Matt Derbyshire should have finished. That had been the best chance of the game at the point, but Derbyshire’s effort didn’t find the target, rattling the bar instead. East Bengal FC took a 1-0 lead into half-time.

East Bengal FC started the second half with real zest. They went up 2-0 eight minutes into the second half thanks to some good work from Suhair Vadakkepeedika on the right wing, who set up an onrushing Charis Kyriakou for a bending strike from the edge of the box.

Suhair had been causing NorthEast United FC problems prior to the goal, getting close to scoring twice himself. It looked like he’d set up Thongkhosiem Haokip four minutes later with a driven cross from the right, which Haokip backheeled to put East Bengal FC 3-0 up, but the goal was ruled offside. East Bengal FC were fairly dominant in the early parts of the second half.

To shake things up, Balbul looked to his bench. Imran Khan, who was subbed in for Gurjinder Kumar in the 63rd minute, had a decent volleyed effort a minute after coming on. Sylvester Igboun came on for Michael Jakobsen in the 71st minute, who had an even greater effect on the team. Everytime he got on the ball, options started opening up, giving his teammates and the crowd a lift.

NorthEast United FC pushed more players forward, but the risk didn’t pay off in the end. East Bengal FC killed the game in 84th minute thanks to a quick transition, with Mobashir Rahman setting up Jordan O’Doherty, who finished the chance with aplomb. With the score 3-0, the game was quite open now.

NorthEast United FC finally opened their goal account for the season two minutes into second-half stoppage time. It was the combination of Benny and Derbyshire again, with Derbyshire scoring a near-post header from an inch-perfect corner. It was too little, too late for NorthEast United FC.

East Bengal FC face fierce rivals ATK Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby on 29th October at the Salt Lake Stadium, whereas NorthEast United FC will travel to the JRD Tata Sports Complex, to play Jamshedpur FC on 30th October.

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India News Sport Sports

East Bengal play goalless draw with Indian Navy

EB came out with intent in the second half. Coach Constantine brought on Brazilian Alex Lima in place of Aniket Jadhav at the break in a clear show of that intent…reports Asian Lite News

East Bengal (EB) began their Durand Cup campaign with a goalless draw against the Indian Navy in a Group B clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) here on Monday.

Harikrishna A.U. was awarded the Man of the Match in a game that saw the Red & Gold dominate, particularly in the second half.

It was a cagey first half with EB coach Stephen Constantine opting for a four-man midfield and an all-Indian playing eleven. His plans probably went haywire right at the start when Naorem Mahesh Singh picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Tuhin Das.

The only chance of note in the half probably came when EB’s V.P. Suhair broke through inside the box and played it out wide to Tuhin, whose cross back-in found Amarjit Kiyam in space, but the midfielder could not get the direction right.

EB came out with intent in the second half. Coach Constantine brought on Brazilian Alex Lima in place of Aniket Jadhav at the break in a clear show of that intent.

Skipper on the day Sumit Passi created the first chance of the half when his brilliant pile-driver from at least 30 yards out beat Navy keeper Vishnu and thundered the right upright before coming back.

With the opening goal still elusive, Constantine kept ringing in the changes, and brought in midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti and forward Mahitosh Roy in place of Angousana and Amarjit Kiyam to infuse fresh legs into the attack.

Just before the drinks break, Suhair, who had a brilliant second half from the right wing, found Sumit Passi’s run in the box with a wonderful defense-splitting cross, but the striker hit straight at the keeper. Lima was at hand to pounce on the rebound, but his hurried punch was the way-off target.

In the 82nd, Tuhin, who eventually had a good game, provided a great cross from the left and the ball crossed the keeper, crying out from a connection from an on-rushing Suhair, but his slide missed the ball.

With three minutes of regulation time remaining, Tuhin delivered another great cross, but the header from Passi brought off a brilliant flying save from Vishnu. Lima was again at hand for the rebound but yet again failed to score from close.

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