Kolkata, July 26: A true derby thriller —In the ongoing Calcutta Football League, one of the most exciting and intense fixtures between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC ended in the colours of red and gold. With intensity, goals, and emotions, the high contested derby match finished 3-2 in favour of East Bengal FC on Saturday at the Kalyani Stadium. Mohun Bagan re-arranged their squad with three senior team players, while East Bengal FC fielded five senior team players. In the first half, Jesin TK was injured and had to be substituted, and Mohun Bagan SG’s Salahuddeen also had to be taken off due to injury.
East Bengal FC started the game with strong intent and took early control of the game. In the 6th minute, Edmund delivered a cross from the left which Sayan received at the center. Edmund then attempted a close-range half-volley inside the box but missed the target. However, the move seemed to have been offside.
Just three minutes later, in the 9th minute, David threaded a brilliant through pass from the right flank to Sayan, who quickly laid it off to Jesin inside the box. Jesin calmly slotted it in to give East Bengal a 1-0 lead.
Mohun Bagan SG had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute when Suhail went one-on-one with East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit but missed the chance. Kiyan Nassiri captured onto the rebound, but his shot deflected off the post and went wide, a huge let-off for East Bengal FC.
Derby heat unfolded in the 42nd minute when Dippendu challenged David inside the box with a rough tackle. East Bengal players appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved it off, resulting in heated arguments on the pitch.
Mark Zo who replaced injured Jesin TK, passed the ball to Edmund In stoppage time 45+5th minute, who set it up for Sayan. Sayan made a solo run as the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper rushed out, but he calmly placed the ball into the empty net. The goal extended East Bengal FC’s lead to 2-0 at halftime.
Mohun Bagan SG came out stronger in the second half, pushing for a comeback. In the 50th minute, a swift counterattack saw Pasang Tamang attempt a long-range shot, but it flew just over the crossbar.
Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Kiyan Nassiri took a corner from the right at the far post Dippendu headed it down , and Lewaan Castanha was in the right place to slot it home, reducing the deficit to 1-2.
By the 67th minute, Mohun Bagan completed their comeback. This time, it was Castanha who sent in a inch perfect cross from the right, and Kiyan Nassiri headed the ball into the net to kept the head up, levelling the score at 2-2.
However, East Bengal responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, in the 69th minute, with a quick counterattack Aman CK played it wide to the right where David was waiting, and the winger made no mistake, restoring East Bengal’s lead at 3-2.
As the time went on, Mohun Bagan SG pushed hard for another equalizer. In the 93rd minute, Kiyan Nassiri found Suhail in the left side of the box, but Suhail’s shot sailed over the bar, a missed opportunity in the dying moments.
In the 90+7th minute, Aman CK of East Bengal received his second yellow card for fouling Gogocha, reducing East Bengal to 10 men. But with the last whistle the Red and Gold Brigade held firm to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory in the ‘Boro match’.
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