Kolkata, February 26: East Bengal FC defeated Hyderabad FC 2-0 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan tonight. The reverse fixture saw a late equalizer by the Nawabs to earn a point, but tonight, two second-half goals sealed the deal for East Bengal FC and reignited their top-six hopes. However, it remains a difficult task, as the competition among the upper-ranked teams is high.
Both teams displayed lethargic football in the first half. The visitors started with attacking intensity after kickoff, but the game’s tempo slowed down as time passed. Although Hyderabad FC created some chances, they weren’t a threat to Prabsukhan Gill.
In the added time of the first half, at 45+1 minutes, Correira earned a free kick for Hyderabad FC. He attempted the set piece from long range, but his shot unfortunately hit the bottom corner of the post. Both the teams attempted seven shots however, East Bengal FC failed to attempt a single shot in the first half.
In the second half, East Bengal FC resumed the match with attacking intensity, creating numerous goal-bound moves but seeming unrhythmic. In the 54th minute, Messi Bouli received a through ball on the right flank, made a run, and entered the box. He attempted a shot, which Mohammed Rafi intercepted. The rebound fell to Messi Bouli, and he unleashed another shot toward the far post, but it was widely deflected off the post.
In the 62nd minute, Mahesh missed a golden chance. He received the ball from substitute Celis just outside the box and attempted a shot on target, but it went wide.
However, in the 86th minute, East Bengal FC took the lead. From a corner, Celis delivered the ball into the box, where it initially seemed that David attempted a header. The ball went into the net, but it was actually a defensive lapse by Manoj Mohammed that caused an own goal.
In the dying moments, Messi Bouli, with his individual brilliance, made it 2-0 for the Red and Gold Brigade. He made a long run with the ball through the midfield, entered the box, and placed the ball precisely into the net.
With that result, East Bengal FC climbed to 8th in the points table with 27 points from 22 matches, with two more left to play. Their playoff hopes are still alive, but they depend on the results of other teams and East Bengal FC’s performance in the next two fixtures.
NEXT FIXTURES: East Bengal FC will host Bengaluru FC, on March 2. Hyderabad FC have their next fixtures against Punjab FC, on March 6.
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