East Bengal fans celebrated yesterday as their team returned from Bhutan, having qualified for the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 quarterfinals. The team stayed unbeaten in the group stage, finishing on top with seven points from two wins and a draw. Next, they will face Turkmenistan’s Arkadag FC in a two-leg quarterfinal in March 2025.
However, fans will now hope for a turnaround in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season. East Bengal have lost all six matches so far and sits at the bottom of the 13-team table. This poor start has shocked many, especially given the talent in the squad. But with renewed momentum and confidence, East Bengal will aim to climb up the table. Here are five key points from their turnaround so far:
Revival of Dimitrios Diamantakos
The Greek forward was one of East Bengal’s major signings this season. After two successful seasons with Kerala Blasters, where he scored many goals, fans hoped he would bring the same form here. But before the AFC Challenge League, he struggled. Diamantakos managed only two goals and three assists in seven games across all competitions.
It was not just the numbers; his movement and intensity were lacking, especially for a No. 9. Fans were concerned, and his frustration was clear. However, the Challenge League has worked wonders for him, with the forward netting four goals in three games.
Two of these goals came from superb first-time finishes in the box. He has also benefited from more quality deliveries from his teammates, creating more chances for him to score. Having rediscovered his form in Bhutan, East Bengal fans now hope he can carry this red-hot streak into the ISL.
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Improvement of fitness
East Bengal’s loss to Shillong Lajong in the Durand Cup quarterfinal raised the issue of altitude. This is not new in Indian football. Whenever teams like East Bengal or Mohun Bagan play in higher-altitude regions, it becomes a challenge. The same altitude factor was present in Bhutan as well.
After losing six straight games in the current ISL season, fans have mostly criticised the team’s fitness level. It was clear that the players struggled to match the pace of their opponents. Even the new coach, Oscar Bruzon, mentioned that fitness needed serious improvement to deliver better results in future games.
However, in the AFC Challenge League, the team has shown noticeable improvement in fitness. They seem to be getting more acclimatised with each game. In their last match against Nejmeh SC, after 70 minutes, the Lebanese side’s players looked tired, while East Bengal’s players stayed relatively fresh, allowing them to keep up the fight until the end – unlike in previous matches. This fitness improvement could make them more competitive in the ISL as well.
Bruzon’s gameplan and moves
The arrival of Bruzon has been transformative for this Kolkata giant. Previous coach Carles Cuadrat stuck to a 4-3-3 attacking formation, regardless of results. Under his setup, East Bengal lost four consecutive ISL matches and fell to Shillong Lajong in the Durand Cup quarterfinal. In the AFC Champions League 2 qualifying stage against Altyn Nasyr, he switched to a 3-4-3 formation, but that also did not work.
Bruzon, however, has used different formations based on the opponent. He has gone with a 4-5-1 setup twice, a 4-2-3-1 formation twice, and opted for a 3-4-3 on one occasion. This flexibility has helped his players adapt to various formations, depending on the situation and opponent.
Bruzon has also sparked a change in the players’ mentality, restoring their belief in their abilities. They have shown this renewed confidence in Bhutan, improving in both intensity and aggressiveness. In the AFC Challenge League, East Bengal players were willing to take on tough opposition, including some of Asia’s better teams.
Prabhsukhan Gill’s brave performance
It has been a mixed season for East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. Despite being the club’s first-choice custodian, his performances early in the season raised concerns. At times, he looked uncertain, and his timing when going for the ball was questioned.
However, in the AFC Challenge League, Gill has proven his quality with strong performances in every match. Against teams like Paro FC, Basundhara Kings, and Nejmeh SC, East Bengal’s defence struggled, especially in the second half. But Gill stepped up with crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Anwar Ali shining
Before the season started, Anwar’s move from Mohun Bagan to their rivals, East Bengal, sparked plenty of controversy. With the final decision on the transfer still pending, some fans worried that the situation might be affecting his game. However, in the AFC Challenge League, Anwar Ali has displayed greater intensity, hunger, and consistency.
Against Basundhara Kings, he scored a stunning goal and made some impressive tackles. He also played well against Nejmeh SC. Surprisingly, despite being a centre-back, Anwar filled in at right-back and performed excellently. This versatility is a positive sign for the upcoming games and could give Bruzon more options in his plans.
The AFC Challenge League could not have come at a better time for East Bengal. After these strong performances, the team has regained confidence, setting them up for a fresh start in the ISL. Their first target will be arch-rival Mohammedan SC on November 9 at Salt Lake Stadium. With all these positives, this match could be the perfect stage for East Bengal to make their mark in the league.
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