Kolkata, August 10: East Bengal FC won their final group fixtures of the ongoing 134 edition of the Durand Cup with a 6-1 score over Indian Air Force on Sunday evening in the Kishore Bharari Krirangan. They scored half a dozen goals, but the evening’s biggest moment came at the end of the match, when they unfolded a tifo with a heartfelt, powerful message, a proud tribute to the Indian Air Force.
East Bengal FC entered their final group fixture of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup with a dominant attacking display against Indian Air Force. The breakthrough came in the 7th minute when Edmund played a precise low cross from the right side into the box, where Hamid made no mistake to headed it into the net, to give East Bengal FC a 1-0 lead.
In the 13th minute, East Bengal FC almost got their second. A through ball found Hamid, who went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. As the keeper was out of position, Hamid placed a shot towards the net, but Indian Air Force defender Sankit made a goal-line clearance.
The lead was doubled in the 25th minute when Naorem Mahesh sent a through ball to Bipin Singh, he carried the ball forward from the left inside the box, the keeper came out of his position, Bipin Singh unleashed a shot towards the far post in between two defenders into the net, to make it 2-0 for the Red And Gold.
Indian Air Force managed to create a rare opening in the 39th minute and scored from it when Jijo Joseph sent a long cross into the box from the right flank into the box, Aman Khan rose highest and headed the ball into the net to reduce the score gap to 2–1. In the 43rd minute, amidst a scramble inside the box , Miguel Ferreira attempted a shot, but Indian Air Force keeper Subhajit Basu made a great save, later their defender cleared the danger.
In the first half, East Bengal FC seemed to be playing with sharper passing and more possession, attempting 13 shots, 7 of which were on target, while Indian Air Force had only one shot, which was on target.
East Bengal continued their dominance after the break, controlling possession and constantly threatening the Indian Air Force defence. In the 56th minute Bipin Singh delivered a precise ball from the left side into the box, which Hamid attemted with a flying header, but missed closely.
In the 63rd minute, East Bengal FC extended their lead when Miguel Ferreira’s corner from the left was headed into the net by Anwar Ali to make it 3–1. Within five minutes, Basim Rashid’s stunning long-range shot changed the scoreline to 4–1 for the Red and Gold.
In the 83rd minute, East Bengal FC created another goal bound chance. David entered the box, turned, and took a shot, but the Air Force defence intercepted. The rebound fell to Vishnu on the left side inside the box, and he attempted a shot that went wide, was a close chance.
However, in the 85th minute, East Bengal FC hit their fifth. From the right inside the box, Edmund attempted a shot that the keeper managed to fist away, but the rebound fell to Saul Crespo, who fired it into the net to make it 5–1.
The final blow came in the 90+1st minute. A goalbound move saw the Air Force keeper punch the ball clear, but Edmund headed it down into the path of David, who made no mistake in finding the net, sealing a commanding 6–1 win for East Bengal FC.
The Red and Gold Brigade showcased their depth and quality in their final group fixture, with multiple players getting on the scoresheet and netting half a dozen goals. While the Indian Air Force managed to pull one goal back, they struggled to cope with East Bengal FC’s pace, movement, and creativity.
The East Bengal FC’s twelfth man also didn’t disappoint. At the end of the match, they unfolded a tifo reading, “11 PAF Airbases, 9 Terror Camps, forever in the Fear of Indian Air Force,” a heartfelt tribute to the heroism of the Indian Air Force’s recent strike. It was a reminder that East Bengal FC, as a club with a rich history and passionate following, not only celebrates footballing glory but also honours the spirit of the nation.
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