Cleiton Silva lauds East Bengal’s fighting attitude in epic comeback win against Punjab FC

East Bengal FC captain Cleiton Silva was delighted with the way they bounced back to register a 4-2 win against Punjab FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata in the ongoing Indian Super League on Tuesday.

After losing their last game against Odisha FC, East Bengal FC was under fire after going down 0-2 in the first half against the Shers with Asmir Suljic and Ezequiel Vidal scoring for the visitors.

However, the Red and Gold Brigade made a storming comeback with Hijazi Maher scoring soon after the break. The home team soon equalized in the 54th minute with Vishnu Puthiya Valappil finding the back of the net. Subsequently, an own goal from Suresh Nongmeikapam and a goal from David Lalhlaansanga in the 67th minute, helped East Bengal FC secure all three points.

Silva admitted they were not up to the mark in the first half but he was delighted after his team turned the tables in the second half.

“The first half was really, really bad; we again conceded one goal from throw-in. It’s unacceptable; it’s a lack of concentration, but in the second half, everything was great again,” Silva said in an interview with indiansuperleague.com.

“I think in the second half we changed the attitude. In the first half, we didn’t play so well. In the second half, we showed the attitude that East Bengal FC players (should) have,” Silva continued.

Silva also heaped praise on Vishnu Puthiya Valappil, who scored the equalizer for the hosts after he replaced injured Naorem Mahesh Singh early in the second half.

“Vishnu has been playing well in the last matches. But he showed in the second half that 45 minutes is enough for Vishnu to show how good he is.”

East Bengal FC will next face Jamshedpur FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday.