Emami East Bengal FC registered their second consecutive victory in the ongoing 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup, securing a 3-1 win against Downtown Heroes FC of Kashmir in a Group A clash at the Kishore Bharti Krirangan (KBK). The win places East Bengal at the top of Group A with six points, maintaining their perfect record after two matches.
The match kicked off with Emami East Bengal dominating possession and pushing forward aggressively. The Downtown Heroes, however, showed resilience in defense and occasionally threatened with counterattacks. The opening goal came from a brilliant piece of skill. French winger Madih Talal executed a stunning free-kick, deceiving Umaid, the Heroes’ goalkeeper, to give East Bengal the lead.
The Kashmir-based Downtown Heroes quickly responded. Afreen Parray capitalized on a free-kick situation, reacting swiftly to a deflected clearance that ricocheted off his foot and found the net, leveling the score. This was a crucial moment for the Heroes, showing their ability to compete against the more established East Bengal.
However, the home side regained their lead shortly after. Riyas, in an attempt to block a run by East Bengal’s winger Vishnu, fouled him inside the box, leading to a penalty. Spaniard Saul Crespo calmly converted the penalty, restoring East Bengal’s advantage. The first half ended with East Bengal holding a 2-1 lead, setting the stage for an intense second half.
The second half saw both teams striving to score. East Bengal aimed to extend their lead, while the Downtown Heroes sought an equalizer. Despite several attempts from both sides, the defenses held firm. The tension on the pitch escalated, resulting in a red card for Zahid of Downtown Heroes in the 80th minute, leaving them to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
In the dying moments of injury time, East Bengal’s substitute, Jesin TK, delivered a spectacular solo goal. Capitalizing on a defensive error by Zubair, Jesin seized possession, maneuvered past the defender, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box, sealing the victory for East Bengal with a final score of 3-1.
Emami East Bengal now prepares to face their arch-rivals and defending champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, on August 18, 2024. The team enters this critical encounter in high spirits, aiming to continue their winning streak and secure their place in the tournament’s knockout stages.
The Downtown Heroes concluded their group stage matches with one victory against the Indian Air Force and two defeats, earning three points. This marks their first win in the IndianOil Durand Cup, an achievement in only their second appearance in the tournament.
Reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will play the Indian Air Force FT at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on August 8, 2024. Simultaneously, FC Goa, former ISL league and shield winners, will face Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Shillong in a Group F fixture. Both teams will aim to continue their winning momentum in the prestigious tournament.
