Kolkata, February 16: East Bengal FC secured a crucial derby win against Mohammedan SC with a 3-1 scoreline tonight in the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, claiming all three important points. They now have 21 points from 20 matches, with four more matches left to play. Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC remains at the bottom with 11 points from the same number of matches.
Within two minutes of the match, Anwar Ali attempted a close-range header from a corner, but it went over the crossbar. In the 9th minute, Mohammedan built up a goal-bound move from the left, as Franca passed the ball to Manvir inside the box. However, Manvir Saini missed a great opportunity as he failed to make contact with the ball from very close range.
In the 18th minute, Messi Bouli passed the ball from the left to Diamantakos near the first post. He attempted a low shot, but it went wide from close range. However, in the 29th minute, Naorem Mahesh gave the Red and Gold Brigade the lead. PV Vishnu sent in a ball from the left to Mahesh, who placed it towards the second post and sent it into the net.
In the second half, both teams started on the front foot. In the 64th minute, Naorem Mahesh attempted a half-volley from the center of the box, which Padam Chhetri saved. In the next minute, substitute Saul Crespo doubled the lead. Padam Chhetri played the ball to Mafela, who mispassed it to Messi Bouli. Bouli entered the box and passed it to Crespo, who smoothly chipped the ball over the keeper.
In the 68th minute, debutant Rabi Hansda and Franca combined to reduce the score gap for Mohammedan SC. Rabi, from the right, played a through ball to Franca on the left, who, from inside the box, sent the ball towards the far post and into the net.
After that, Mohammedan SC missed probably their best chance to earn a point from the match. In the 76th minute, Alexis unleashed a long shot from the left, which Prabhsukhan Gill saved. Off the rebound, Franca attempted a shot from the left side of the box, but Gill saved it again. The next rebound fell to Rabi Hansda, who attempted another shot, which deflected towards the far post. Off that rebound, Remsanga took a shot, but the East Bengal FC defense managed to clear it. A storm passed through the box.
In the 89th minute, David made it 3-1 in favor of East Bengal FC against his former club. From the left, Diamantakos sent a cross into the box, which Pravat Lakra chested down to David. He turned and unleashed a screamer into the net, securing all three points from the derby for East Bengal FC tonight.
In the 59th minute of the match, Rabi Hansda made his debut for Mohammedan SC. From playing for Calcutta Customs in the Calcutta Football League to playing a crucial role in Bengal’s Santosh Trophy-winning campaign, he has come a long way. Tonight, he stepped onto the pitch and made his mark with an impactful performance, providing one assist and narrowly missing two chances in an impressive display.
NEXT FIXTURES: Mohammedan SC will just Jamshedpur FC on February 20. East Bengal FC have their next away fixtures against Punjab FC on February 22.
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