Yet another Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) ended in defeat for East Bengal – a ninth without a win, including eight losses. The record of conceding at least two goals was kept intact as Mohun Bagan won the clash 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday night.
It was East Bengal’s fifth consecutive league defeat to start the season. Why are they not getting into rhythm? What is going wrong for them? There are more questions than answers to East Bengal’s situation.
Former head coach Carles Cuadrat was forced to resign because of fan pressure and Oscar Bruzon, highly regarded, was brought in to save East Bengal from further misery. He came, he saw, but why did he stand in the dugout? On the biggest matchday, Bruzon, who landed less than 20 hours before the game at 3:30 am, was in the dugout as the head coach of East Bengal.
“I spoke to coach Bino (George) and spent online sessions with the team,” said Bruzon in the post-match press conference. Sadly, Bino George, who was interim coach, was neglected the moment Bruzon became available. George, who spent numerous training sessions with the team and had them playing eye-catching football in Jamshedpur, could have been given charge of the derby as a matter of respect.
The lack of intent to win was evident in the East Bengal players throughout the game. The underwhelming display of football was saddening for the thousands of supporters who filled the stadium with high hopes. The difference in skills and fitness between the two teams was crystal clear. The East Bengal players, as in every other game this season, looked unfit in the last quarter.
Bagan’s bench strength is far superior to East Bengal’s. When a team can bring in Sahal Abdul Samad and Dimitri Petratos in the second half, it speaks a lot about the depth of squad. Whereas for East Bengal, it was a struggle to field a threatening forward line with Dimitrios Diamantakos not fully fit.
What is the way forward? This is a question asked by thousands of East Bengal fans and football critics for the last few years, yet it remains unanswered. East Bengal might be in for even worse days up ahead – Anwar Ali’s verdict, a potential transfer ban, and financial compensation all await.
If Anwar gets a four-month ban, then he will miss half the season. With a transfer ban, East Bengal’s hopes of bringing in Robson Robinho, the former Bashundhara Kings forward, will fade. Cleiton Silva, whatever service he gave last season, hasn’t done the business this time and is reportedly not in Bruzon’s plans. Let’s also not forget potentially huge financial sanctions.
Just a few years ago, East Bengal fans mocked their arch-rivals for selling their club and merging with ATK. #RemoveATK slogans and social-media trends flooded the internet. Later, the ATK prefix was removed and the new entity, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, was formed. The team have consistently delivered since this merger.
“It was after this joint venture that Mohun Bagan has become stronger than ever,” Debasish Dutta, Mohun Bagan’s general secretary, told the media while pointing out the mockery the club was subjected to. “It was the way forward.”
Whether someone likes it or not, money talks. Leicester City’s 2016 EPL triumph won’t happen often. Mohun Bagan’s squad is worth Rupees 70 crores, while East Bengal’s is valued at around 40 crores. That difference was evident. Now, the question is, for how much longer will Emami tolerate making such losses?
JSW with Bengaluru FC, RPSG with Mohun Bagan and the City Football Group with Mumbai City – these are all conglomerates with other big sporting ventures that can fund their ISL sides. So, is the way forward for East Bengal such a merger? Whatever it is, the answer has to come soon, for the sake of the club, the fans and for Indian football.