On Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch in Bhubaneswar, in an exciting Group B match, Cleiton Silva’s outstanding play helped East Bengal overcome Mohun Bagan Super Giant, their bitter rivals, in an exciting victory. In the match, which was significant for both teams, East Bengal won their second derby of the year and advanced to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals. Hector Yuste gave Mohun Bagan an early lead, but Silva’s brace and Nandhakumar Sekar’s goal proved to be the difference.

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East Bengal’s Path to the Semifinals:

East Bengal’s ascent to the top of Group B was fueled by a succession of outstanding performances and an unwavering determination. With a perfect nine points, the team, captained by the dynamic Cleiton Silva, won all three of their group matches. Their victory over Mohun Bagan proved their worth and cemented their position at the top of the group.

The Derby Showdown:

Both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan knew going into the game that a victory was necessary to guarantee a spot in the knockout stage. They were tied at six points apiece. Mariner’s aggressive posture from the start made their goal very apparent. The first real breakthrough came in the 19th minute, when Hector Yuste turned a Dimitros Petratos corner kick into a goal, giving Bagan the advantage.

East Bengal’s Response:

Red and Yellow Brigade gave up the early goal, but they didn’t give up easily and came back strong. Cleiton Silva’s equalizer in the 24th minute resulted from a chaotic situation outside the Bagan penalty box. With a strong shot that found the back of the net, Silva demonstrated his clinical finishing ability and tied the score at one.

Dramatic First Half:

The first half was marked by intense back-and-forth action, with both teams engaged in a tight contest. A dramatic moment unfolded when Mohun Bagan was awarded a penalty in the closing stages of the half. Dimitros Petratos initially converted the spot kick, only for it to be disallowed due to encroachment by his teammates. The subsequent retake saw Petratos hit the woodwork, squandering a golden opportunity for Bagan to take the lead.

Strategic Brilliance and Second-Half Surge:

Both teams made tactical changes in the second half. The tactical choice made by East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat to use Souvik Chakraborty as a marker for Hugo Boumous turned out to be crucial. Bagan’s attacking creativity was hindered by the playmaker’s limited influence due to Chakraborty’s outstanding performance.

In the 63rd minute, Red Yellow Brigade took the lead when Borja Gonzalez’s unrelenting pursuit of the ball caused Bagan defender Rajiv Rana to make a mistake. Nandhakumar Sekar scored from the rebound after Gonzalez’s shot struck the goalpost, giving Red and Yellow Brigade the advantage.

Bagan’s Substitutes Fail to Make Impact:

The second half saw modifications, but Mariners’ replacements were unable to have a big effect. East Bengal’s defense held firm, preventing Bagan from having any real chances to score.

Conclusion

East Bengal’s tenacity and strategic acumen, combined with Cleiton Silva’s inspirational leadership, helped them win a pivotal derby and guarantee their spot in the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals. The exciting game demonstrated Indian football’s spirit of competition and set up an intriguing semifinal matchup. While Red Yellow Brigade rejoices in their achievement, Mariner’s muses over lost chances and considers upcoming difficulties in the ever-changing Indian football scene.