Sunday, January 14, 2024 saw an exciting match between East Bengal FC and Sreenidi Deccan at the Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch in Bhubaneswar. East Bengal FC won 2-1. With the victory, East Bengal won Group A of the Kalinga Super Cup for the second time in a row, demonstrating their tenacity and skill on the pitch. The goals for EBFC were netted by Hijazi Maher and Javier Siverio, while William Alves de Oliveira scored the solitary goal for Sreenidi Deccan. This win not only guaranteed Sreenidi Deccan’s place in the competition, but it also prepared the team for January 19’s much-anticipated derby matchup against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
EB’s Dominance:
From the beginning of the game against SDFC, EBFC’s performance was marked by an unwavering and assertive approach. The stakes were high for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, who both had six points in Group A and the same goal differential of +2. The key differentiator that propelled East Bengal to the top of the group standings was the disparity in goals scored.
The Early Moments:
When Jose Antonio Pardo Lucas passed Javier Siverio a through ball in the seventh minute, it was the first real chance of the match. Siverio found plenty of space, but his shot missed the mark. EBFC, however, didn’t have to wait long to end the impasse. Following a foul by Rilwan Hassan of Sreenidi Deccan in the eleventh minute, Nishu Kumar’s accurate cross was expertly headed into the net by Maher, giving EBFC a well-earned lead.
Expanding the Lead:
Encouraged by their early goal, EBFC kept up the pressure on SDFC’s defence, which led to more chances. Maher was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the second goal in the thirty-first minute. When Maher sent a long ball to Cleiton Silva, the team played well together. After deftly positioning himself, Silva helped Siverio, who scored with a strong left-footed shot. The ball’s trajectory into the net was helped by a deflection, which doubled EBFC’s lead and cemented their supremacy.
SDFC’s Resilience:
Even with a two-goal deficit, Sreenidi Deccan showed tenacity and continued to play. Goalie Aryan Niraj Lamba of SDFC made some vital saves to stop EBFC’s relentless attacks, keeping the score from getting bigger. The Deccan Warriors put forth a lot of effort to stay in the game, and in the final moments of play, their defensive play paid off.
Late Drama:
The late drama started when SDFC was given a penalty kick for a foul committed by Ajay Chhetri inside the box against R Lalbiakliana. Oliveira took the opportunity and made the conversion with poise, cutting the lead to 2-1. East Bengal’s lead proved too strong for SDFC to overcome, and the final whistle ensured EBFC’s second straight Group A victory. This was despite a late goal.
Anticipation for the Derby:
East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are tied for first place in Group A with six points apiece, setting up an exciting and fierce derby match on 19 January. The winner of the group will advance to the KSC semifinals, which will heighten the significance of the next match. EBFC was under pressure to win after Mohun Bagan Super Giants defeated Hyderabad FC earlier on Sunday, and they succeeded with a strong showing against SDFC.
Conclusion:
In addition to showcasing their talent and tenacity, EBFC’s victory over SDFC also set the stage for an exciting matchup with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, their bitter rivals. With both teams vying for the top spot in Group A and a place in the semi-finals, football enthusiasts can expect an enthralling contest between two giants of Indian football. The East Bengal vs. Mohun Bagan match is generating a lot of excitement and anticipation as the Kalinga Super Cup progresses, with fans anticipating an incredible spectacle.
East Bengal Starting XI
Gill, Pardo, A. Chhetri, Cleiton(c), Nandha, M. Rakip, Hijazi, Crespo, Nishu, Borja, Siverio
Sreenidi Deccan Starting XI
Aryan, I. Sissoko, Drall, K. Lewis, Shayesteh, D. Castaneda, Sajid, Maya (c), Eli Sabia, Abhishek, Hassan
