Kolkata, November 3: East Bengal’s inability to turn territorial dominance into goals once again came back to haunt them as Al Seeb snatched a late 2–0 victory at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday night. Despite controlling large spells of the game and creating several clear-cut opportunities, the Red and Gold Brigade were left to rue their missed chances as Al Seeb’s two late goals settled the contest.
The first half was a story of missed chances and bad luck. The Red and Gold Brigade started on the front foot, with David coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute, but his grounder passed the post, missing the chance closely.
An injury blow followed in the 18th minute as Anwar Ali was forced off with a cramp, making way for Sandip Mandi.
Within two minutes, the Red and Gold Brigade missed another golden opportunity. Despite a well-built move that resulted in three goal-bound chances, they failed to break the deadlock. In the 20th minute, Edmund capitalised on the ball inside the box and attempted a shot, which Ibrahim saved. From the rebound, Bipin, who was closely positioned, attempted another shot, but the keeper denied him again. In the final moment, Rashid headed the ball towards the unguarded goal but missed the target.
The visitors barely created any chances and failed to threaten Lachenpa, as East Bengal FC clearly dominated the half. However, both sides went into the break on level terms, with East Bengal failing to capitalise on their opportunities.
East Bengal resumed the second half with the same attacking intent, and Edmund came close to breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. Sandip Mandi, pushing forward on the left, deliverd a curling cross into the box, which Edmund connected with a header, only to see again it drift narrowly wide of the right post.
Six minutes later, Loba picked out Dani Ramirez with a chipped pass inside the box on the left. Ramirez got his shot away, but Ibrahim answerd with a fine save to keep Al Seeb in the game.
Unlike the first half, Al Seeb gradually found their way into the attacking third. In the 78th minute, a cross from the left found Omar Al Malli, whose header looked threatening, but Lachenpa came up with an excellent save.
The breakthrough arrived in the 86th minute, but at the wrong end for East Bengal. Axel Meye beat Sandip Mandi before finding the back of the net, putting Al Seeb ahead and leaving East Bengal with little time to respond.
East Bengal pushed for a late equaliser, but Al Seeb had another opportunity to put the result beyond doubt. In stoppage time, Zahir Sulaiman raced down the left with the goal open, and attempt a shot to the net that struck in to the second post, giving East Bengal another blow.
After a dominant footballing display and creating numerous goal-bound chances, the visitors held their nerve when a little space opened up and capitalised on the opportunity to shift the momentum in their favour. East Bengal’s lack of cutting edge in the final third, evident since the beginning of the competition, once again proved costly. Tonight’s defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, though they remain mathematically in contention.
Leaving on three crucial points on the ground East Bengal, India’s representative, must now depend on other results in the group while facing two remaining must-win fixtures ahead.
AFC Champions League 2 – East Bengal vs Al Seeb highlights
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