East Bengal’s winless streak finally ended last night, as they defeated Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings 4-0 in their second group stage match of the AFC Challenge League in Thimphu, Bhutan. All four goals came in the first half, making it feel as though the game was already decided. The Bangladeshi side looked completely disjointed, delivering a surprisingly poor first-half performance. However, the real test for the Red and Gold brigade will be in their next match against Nejmeh SC. Yet, this victory has sparked significant talking points among East Bengal fans.
First half with World-Class goals and a clean sheet
It was a dream first half for East Bengal and their fans. Four remarkable goals, each from a different player. Greek forward Dimitrios Diamantakos opened the scoring, converting a half-chance with a one-touch finish in the box. Two world-class strikes from Sauvik Chakrabarti and Anwar Ali, along with a stunning solo goal from Nandhakumar Sekar, who cut into the box to score.
Another highlight of this game was East Bengal’s first clean sheet of the season. Despite some late attacking threats from the Bangladeshi side, the defensive trio of Anwar Ali, Hijazi Maher, and Hector Yuste—supported by Lalchungnunga and Mohamad Rakip—held strong.
Impressive performance from several individuals
With two goals in as many matches in this competition, striker Diamantakos will be feeling more confident going forward. Sauvik, chosen over Jeakson Singh, justified the decision with an impressive midfield performance. Not only did he score with a world-class finish, but he also controlled the midfield, contributing both offensively and defensively.
Nandha demonstrated his potential, showing impressive pace down the left flank and confidently taking on Bashundhara defenders—a welcome sight for East Bengal fans. Lalchungnunga, typically a centre-back, stepped up at right back for the team and did a solid job. While his offensive contributions were limited, he was strong defensively. Anwar had one of his best nights, highlighted by a fabulous goal and some crucial blocks that kept the opposition from scoring.
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Worrying signs in the second half?
The Kolkata Giants may have won 4-0, but the scoreline could have easily been 6-0 or 7-0 had they converted more chances in the second half. In that period, EB players were seen sitting deeper in their half, allowing Bashundhara to launch more attacks. Several of these threatened the EB defenders, but somehow, they kept the ball out of the net.
If Bashundhara Kings’ attackers had been more clinical, they might have scored 2-3 goals by the end. EB goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill made some crucial saves. While the Bangladeshi side looked dismal in the first half, their increased attacks in the second half left some concerns among EB fans. These mistakes could prove costly in their next match against a tougher opponent, Nejmeh SC.
When asked about the dip in intensity and aggressiveness in the second half, the East Bengal coach, Oscar Bruzon responded, “We are talking a lot about the physical condition of the team. I have completed only three full practices with all the group together. The rest of the practices were compensation and recovery. This is the reality that we have. So, the important thing is what we did in the first half. Actually, what I say to the players now in the dressing room is exactly what you mentioned.”
Cleiton Silva and Hijazi Maher’s time running out?
Hijazi started the game, while Cleiton came on in the second half to replace Diamantakos. However, once again, the Brazilian struggled to make an impact. His ongoing fitness issues seem to prevent him from making runs and being in the right place at the right time. He missed several chances, leaving EB fans frustrated.
In the post-match press conference, when asked about Cleiton’s fitness, Bruzon responded, “We already talked about the fitness of the team. So, it is better to put it as a group problem than as personal problems. I want much more from the players. The reality is that the last three games, we were struggling with the physicality. So, I hope that this good performance helps us to believe.”
As a central defender, Hijazi has had a poor season so far. In yesterday’s game, he appeared lost on several occasions. Anwar and Yuste proved to be the key players for the Red and Gold brigade, which was enough to keep the Bangladeshi side at bay. Given the repeated underperformance of both Cleiton and Hijazi, fans suspect that time might be running out for them. With the January transfer window approaching, it would not be a surprise if both players face potential cuts.
Hector Yuste’s injury
In the match against Paro FC, Provat Lakra sustained an injury, but Lalchungnunga stepped up to handle the pressure at right-back. However, now, Hector Yuste has suffered an injury, which is a significant setback for the team ahead of their clash with Nejmeh SC. Since joining, Yuste has been a solid presence in the defence alongside Anwar.
Addressing this in the post-match press conference, Bruzon said, “Tomorrow he will try to do all the medical tests. Hector today was performing very, very well. It seems there is a muscle problem there. But until tomorrow or the next day, we cannot comment. I hope we can recover him, and if not, we will have a plan ready as well.”
This win came at the perfect time for the club, players, and fans. Now, they can only hope to carry this momentum forward, build confidence, and put up a stronger fight against tougher opponents in this competition and the Indian Super League (ISL). As Bruzon noted, yesterday was just the first step in a positive direction for the club, as fans share the hope of seeing more promising results under the Spaniard’s guidance.
Also Read: Thunder in Thimphu: East Bengal hammer Bangladesh’s Basundhara Kings 4-0