Saturday gave East Bengal fans good news that they waited 1,658 days. It’s a long-awaited victory against its archrival Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Saturday gave East Bengal fans good news that they waited 1,658 days. It’s a long-awaited victory against its archrival Mohun Bagan Super Giant. That was the last, and the red and gold brigades won against the green and the wasteland. When it came, it happened at the Durand Cup, one of Asia’s oldest club competitions. Veteran Nandakumar Sekhar must have enjoyed the most decisive day of his football career by fumbling on the left foot that ended East Bengal’s long wait in the Kolkata Derby. 바카라
The goal in the 60th minute also put the brakes on Mohun Bagan’s advance to the quarterfinals as he could take the last eight spots if he wins against Punjab FC in his final group match on Wednesday. East Bengal, led by Bengaluru FC’s Indian Super League winning manager Carles Cuadrat, looked much denser and Nandakumar’s international class attack restored the front line-up to its usual talent. The former Odisha FC midfielder used Saul Crespo’s assist from the right flank as he cleverly attacked Mohun Bagan’s Indian international Anirud Thapa with an outside Dodge.
With perfect composure, the 27-year-old used his foot to roll past Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kite’s hand into a distant corner of the net. East Bengal’s victory ended in defending the dominance of ISL champion Mohun Bagan, who extended more than four and a half years. East Bengal last won the i – league with a 2-0 result against mohun bagan on 27 January 2019.
Since then, Mohun Bagan has won eight trot titles and has drawn once against East Bengal in all tournaments. Four days later, the Mariners also suffered a major setback in their AFC Cup campaign against the Nepalese team at the same venue.
In front of more than 50,000 spectators at Salt Lake Stadium, Cuadrat made a visible impact early on as the midfield looked much smaller and the ball possession looked better, and the forward was under pressure in the scoreless but thrilling first half. They also aimed for the first shot from an 11-minute free-kick, but Jordan Elsie failed to hit a perfect header and Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Kite made an easy interception.
The attack was relentless and seven minutes later, Naorem Mahesh gave way to Javier Siberian over Mohun Bagan’s defense, but Brendan Hamill blocked him for a key save. East Bengal took another chance in the 23rd minute of the first half when Nanda Kumar gave up his seat to Naorem and Siberian.
However, goalkeeper Prabaukan Singh, who made an impression with a great save in the 45+2 minute of the first half, rejected the expected lead. Hamanzot Singh Cabra fouled, Boomus pierced a perfect free-kick, and Gill jumped high with a confident save.
After scoring a much-anticipated goal, East Bengal closed the ranks and thwarted all Mohun Bagan’s attacks. Manbir Singh and Dimitri Petratos combined to score in the 58th minute, but the East Bengal defence failed their attempt. The final 10 minutes were played in heavy rain, with East Bengal barely maintaining its lead.
Cuadrat led the attack by Borgia and Siberian in a 4-4-2 formation, while Lal Chunnunga and Spanish Jordan Elsie played central defense. Mohun Bagando Ferrando had a similar formation, bringing in Ashishirai, Anirud Tapa and Armando Sadiku as three line-up changes.