East Bengal placed on a defensive masterclass regardless of taking part in greater than an hour with solely 9 males to carry metropolis rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club for a goalless draw within the ISL in Kolkata on Saturday. This additionally ended East Bengal’s nightmarish six-match dropping streak of the season, opening their account within the 13-team desk with one level from seven matches to stay on the backside. Debutants Mohammedan Sporting with 5 factors occupied a spot off the underside.
Fresh off making quarterfinals within the AFC Challenge 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 pacesetter of males.
He maintained the cohesion among the many backline and stored the damaging duo of Franca and Loni Manzoki at bay all through.
The match noticed a dramatic first half for East Bengal, who had been diminished 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.
Just moments later, Mahesh was given a second yellow for displaying dissent, leaving EBFC in disarray.
Despite 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 had been significantly 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.
Despite 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.
In the dying moments of the sport, MSC earned a freekick in a harmful place, however the supply was cleared by EB’s defenders.
