East Bengal FC has once again proven the doubters wrong. The Red and Gold Brigade did not come as favourites in the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League. However, in a group like Paro FC, Bashundhara Kings, and Nejmeh SC, the team looked well-balanced on paper during the fixture announcement. But things changed in between when they came to the tournament losing 8 consecutive matches in the season.
Oscar Bruzon has worked well with the fitness and team combination since taking on the broken East Bengal side in the middle of the season. The team’s mentality has changed, and they fight until the very last whistle of the game. The much-needed motivation has charged up the side. On Friday, something similar happened in their final group fixture against Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC.
East Bengal after a 2-2 draw against Paro FC in their opening fixture. Everyone thought the club would not qualify for the next round. However, a turnaround of things against Bashundhara Kings changed the complexion. They won the match 0-4 in the fixture. They were coming to the final fixture of the game against the Lebanon club who won both their fixtures ahead of this competition.
East Bengal in AFC; Story written in history
It was never an easy game for the side, but again a similar pattern with 15 minutes in the game the side went 2-0 up. Is East Bengal the team to beat in the AFC Challenge? The way the Red and Gold Brigade has made a comeback showcases their urge and determination to win games. It was missing during the earlier stages of the game.
The game was evenly poised on 2-2 with both teams missing easy chances to put the game to bed. A must-win game for East Bengal and they forced the pressure in the second half. It paid off for the side they were awarded a penalty after Madih Talal who missed a sitter was fouled inside the box. Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos once again showed why he was brought in the summer window.
He scored his 5th goal in 4 matches for the side and a brace on the night to seal the game for the side. After the match, the players celebrated with joy and tears with the team’s poor momentum, and they started winning games. The next fixture is against arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ISL.
