Mohamed Bilal’s rise at East Bengal is a story of resilience and determination, as the 21-year-old winger delivers in his first Kolkata Derby despite personal challenges.
Kolkata, September 8: The 21-year-old Keralite winger has emerged as one of East Bengal’s most dependable performers, overcoming personal challenges while continuing to make his mark on the field.
The footsteps are louder than the battles; the dreams are never so small. Chasing the dreams is not for the faint-hearted. Mohamed Bilal, the young lad from Kerala, proved that it just takes guts to turn fate around.
On 7th September, Monday, when rain hit hard in West Bengal, Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal FC were preparing for the Calcutta Football League derby clash. For the Mariners, it was not just another derby; they still needed revenge for the Durand final, while the red and Gold brigade tried to stay consistent with their golden run, and in the end, East Bengal’s second-string team proved too hard to defeat for the Super Giants.
Mohun Bagan fielded a star-studded team, featuring players such as Manvir Singh, Kiyan Nassiri, Apuia, Subhasish Bose, and Sahal Abdul Samad. In contrast, Red and Gold relied on younger players like Joy Baz, Mandi, and Akash Hembram for the match. However, the standout player of the game was undoubtedly Mohammad Bilal, whose goal in the 64th minute provided a crucial equaliser for the red and yellow brigade. The junior players’ performance surprised the Mohun Bagan fans, ending the match in a 1-1 draw.
East Bengal topped the group with 27 points from 11 matches, finishing ahead of Bhawanipore on goal difference, while Mohun Bagan secured third place with 23 points from 11 games.
Mohamed Bilal, whom you can rely on
Mohamed Bilal, first spotted for his stunning performances for Gokulam, where he scored 5 goals in a season, has become a new trustworthy player for East Bengal. Bilal has scored 5 goals and assisted on a few goals in just his initial days for the Red and Gold brigade, in his debutant campaign.
At just 21, Mohamed Bilal has shown remarkable responsibility both on and off the field. Despite his father being hospitalised before the derby day due to illness, Bilal remained composed and professional, ensuring that his personal circumstances did not affect his performance for East Bengal, and his goal in the 64th minute talks much more about his maturity at such a young age and volumes about his character.
The ex-Gokulam winger, with his stunning performance on the field, proved that determination can bring results your way and there is no smart work like hard work.
An inspiring bond with Jesin TK
After the match, Bilal confronted about the bond with East Bengal’s golden boy Jesin TK, saying, “He calls me sometimes before the match and motivates me and asks me to put more effort to become better.”
Jesin TK has become a household name among East Bengal fans thanks to his remarkable goal-scoring record in the CFL and consistent performance from the past few season. He plays as a winger and has established himself as East Bengal’s most consistent attacker in the local league. In recent seasons, he has achieved an impressive tally of 25 goals and 13 assists in just 34 appearances. In the 2024 CFL season alone, he registered 13 goals and 6 assists in 14 matches, heavily anchoring the Red & Gold Brigade’s attack.
The bond between the new star Mohamed Bilal and Jesin TK goes beyond their time together on the field. Bilal considers Jessin an inspiration, someone whose words and performances continue to motivate him to push himself further. Whether it is before a match, during a game from a distance, or simply through a few words of encouragement, Jesin’s influence has been an important part of Bilal’s journey at East Bengal.
While Bilal is now beginning to make his own mark in the Red and Gold colours, Jesin’s consistency, experience and impact on the field continue to set an example for the youngster. It is a bond between two players from different stages of their journey, but one built on motivation, respect and the desire to see each other succeed.
For Mohamed Bilal, the journey at East Bengal is only beginning. At just 21, he has already shown that talent backed by determination and the right mindset can take a player forward. Identified by coach Bino George and Archisman Biswas, Bilal is one of the upcoming stars making his mark in the Red and Gold setup. His first Kolkata Derby in his first campaign with a Kolkata club made his equaliser even more significant. With players like Jesin TK inspiring him along the way, Bilal now has the opportunity to build on this promising start and become a player East Bengal can rely on for years to come, and a shinning start in the stage of Indian football.
Read more about Indian Football
