The ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) has so far seen 33 goals in just a matter of two weeks. Some teams have performed unexpectedly this season and shocked Indian football fans. On Sunday East Bengal FC (EBFC) faced Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The two teams having lost their first matches came in this match with the thought of winning.
The home side started better in the game however, after 20 minutes of the first half East Bengal got control of the game. The Red and Gold Brigade looked lethal down the left wing as Naorem Mahesh Singh and Mark Zothanpuia combined. The winger and the full-back created problems for the Blaster’s defense however the side could not break the deadlock in the first half of the game. Mahesh was the best man on the field for the side.
In the second half early stages, East Bengal started from where they left off. However there was a shocking move, Coach Carles Cuadrat took off Mahesh Singh instead of Nandhakumar Sekhar. The latter was barely visible in the first half and could not do much of a threat down the wings. The former KBFC footballer was replaced by PV Vishnu. However, it was Nandha who created the defense-splitting ball towards Dimitrios Diamantakos who unselfishly passed it to Vishnu who had an open net.
Carles Cuadrat needs to questioned by the management
The decision was shocking for every fan of keeping Nandha and taking of Mahesh. Except for that one ball, he neither created any chance nor scored a goal as well. The home team equalised within a few minutes after Noah Sadaoui’s individual brilliance made it 1-1. Prabhsukhan Gill conceded in the worst manner from between his legs.
The second goal was also a blunder from the club captain Saul Crespo after winning the 50-50 ball played out by Anwar Ali. The former gave away in the defensive half with super sub Kwame Peprah scoring in the dying moments of the game. Providing Kerala the 2-1 lead and win the game. Fans are furious with Cuadrat’s tactics. They have questioned the Spanish manager’s match reading and mentality problems.
The management despite giving the side the best team on paper the coach is unsuccessful in winning games. It will be an acid test for the former Bengaluru FC manager on Friday. If the results does not goes East Bengal’s way the management might be looking to fire the coach. The side have now lost four games in a row across all competitions.
