Emami East Bengal FC started their Indian Super League 2024-25 campaign with a defeat against Bengaluru FC. Today, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru FC won their first match with 1-0 score against East Bengal FC. It was not the expected start for Carles Cuadrat and the Red and Gold Brigade, but it’s just the beginning of a long season ahead.
After the kickoff, in the 12th minute, East Bengal FC got a great chance. From the middle, Jeakson took a powerful shot towards the net, but goalkeeper Gurpreet made a diving save. However, in the 25th minute, Bengaluru FC took the lead. Vinith Venkatesh found the net from the bottom corner and opened the scoring for Bengaluru.
In the 33rd minute, East Bengal wasted a good chance. With Gurpreet off his line, Souvik Chakraborty received the ball and took a volley that went over the top of the crossbar. Bengaluru FC’s backline was very alert in stopping East Bengal’s attacking force, and as a result, Bengaluru ended the first half with the lead.
In the second half, in the 51st minute, Nanda Kumar built up an incredible attack between three defenders and took a ground shot from the edge of the box, but Gurpreet saved it. As time went on, East Bengal appeared very positive and eagerly tried to get their equalizer.
In the 69th minute, Pereyra Diaz found the net for Bengaluru FC, but the goal was ruled out for offside and canceled. In the 85th minute, Cleiton Silva missed a great chance to open the scoring for the Red and Gold Brigade. Silva received an aerial ball inside the box and took a volley from the middle, but it went over the post.
As time went on, the situation on the field heated up as players became involved in obstruction and fighting. In the 87th minute, Nunga was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match for a rough tackle from behind. East Bengal was reduced to ten men and was already trailing by one goal.
The match ended with East Bengal dominating possession, but the result was 1-0 in favor of Bengaluru. The Man of the Match award went to the only scorer, Vinith Venkatesh, who secured three points for Bengaluru FC in their opening match.
After the match, East Bengal FC coach Carles Cuadrat said, We have been fighting for the results, the team has been fight for the last moment , and a player less, we created to much chances in the second half, but it’s football you have to scored goals.
Match Highlights
Key Stats Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC:
BALL POSSESSION: BFC 45%, EBFC 55%
SHOTS: BFC 9, EBFC 10
SHOTS ON TARGET: BFC 2, EBFC 2
FOULS: BFC 12, EBFC 19
YELLOW CARDS: BFC 3, EBFC 4
RED CARDS: BFC 0, EBFC 1
CORNERS: BFC 2, EBFC 4
OFFSIDES: BFC 1, EBFC 1
