East Bengal FC has finally found the win after nine long matches. The team started well in the season, however, they lost the momentum from their AFC Champions League 2 qualification match. Since then, they have failed to perform in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024/25 season, losing six games in a row. However, they played out a 2-2 draw in their opening AFC Challenge League game against Paro FC.
On Wednesday, the Red and Gold Brigade faced Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings at the Changlimithang Stadium. Oscar Bruzon was facing his former side, and it was rightfully seen that he knew every inch of the side. In the very 35 seconds of the game, East Bengal opened the scoring just like in the last match against Paro. Dimitrios Diamantakos slotted the ball in after a low cross from Lalchungnunga. It might also be the fastest goal.
The Red and Gold Brigade piled the pressure on a much weaker-looking Bashundhara Kings. Souvik Chakrabarti scored an absolute screamer from the edge of the box. The East Bengal players kept moving the ball as Bashundhara’s captain, Topu Barma, failed to clear it correctly. The ball fell to Sauvik Chakrabarti just outside the area, who ran his laces through it and left the goalkeeper standing still.
East Bengal’s journey to redemption begins
Six minutes later Nandhakumar Sekar scored the third. He came into the box from the left wing, and despite having a couple of his teammates, Naorem and Dimi. He dropped his shoulders, dribbled past his man, and struck low to the far post. In the 33rd minute, the game was sealed with star defender Anwar Ali curling the ball with his left foot from outside the box. Leaving no chance for the keeper to save.
Is this a sign of a dream comeback from East Bengal? The much-needed win has come at the right time in a do-or-die match for the side in the Asian competition. The side could have made it 0-6 in favour of them in the second half however, Cleiton Silva missed two easy chances to put the ball in the net. They face Nejmeh SC in the final game who are the league leaders and East Bengal has the chance to slick through the group as the topper.
