ISL 2024-25: East Bengal FC Beat NorthEast United FC for First Win of the Season
In what was a crucial encounter for both teams, East Bengal FC triumphed 1-0 over NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 to claim their first win of the season. The victory not only brought relief to East Bengal but also instilled confidence in the squad, which had been under pressure after a lackluster start to the season. NorthEast United, despite a spirited effort, couldn’t find the back of the net and were unable to continue their strong start to the campaign.
The match, played at the iconic VYBK Stadium in Kolkata, was a contest of contrasting styles. East Bengal entered the match with a point to prove, having struggled in their opening fixtures. NorthEast United, on the other hand, had shown promise in their initial games but needed to maintain consistency in this competitive league. As the teams took to the field, it was evident that both sides were determined to make a statement in the early stages of the season.
Pre-Match Expectations
Before the match, East Bengal was under significant pressure. After several poor performances, they were desperate to secure their first three points of the season. The team had struggled with a lack of cohesion, and fans were starting to lose patience with their underperforming squad. However, with key players such as César Díaz and Sujoy Pahari in the lineup, expectations were high that East Bengal could finally deliver a strong performance.
On the other hand, NorthEast United FC had made an encouraging start to their season, picking up points in their opening matches. Under the management of César Farias, the club had shown an attacking threat and a compact defensive setup. They were coming into the match with confidence, and a win would have taken them closer to the top half of the table.
The stage was set for an exciting clash, with both teams needing a win for different reasons. East Bengal needed to get their season on track, while NorthEast United were eager to continue their positive run.
First Half: East Bengal Dominates
From the first whistle, East Bengal showed their intent to dominate. They came out with a high pressing game, forcing NorthEast United FC into making mistakes early in the match. With Alexandro Menéndez at the helm, East Bengal adopted an aggressive approach, with their midfield working tirelessly to win the ball back and initiate fast counter-attacks. The defensive midfield duo of Ramires and Pahari were instrumental in breaking up NorthEast United’s attacks and providing the necessary support to their attacking players.
East Bengal’s efforts paid off in the 22nd minute when Chima Chukwu, the Nigerian striker, found the back of the net. The goal came from a well-delivered cross by Bruno Ramires, who spotted Chukwu’s run into the box. The striker was perfectly positioned to meet the ball with a deft header that beat Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, the NorthEast United goalkeeper, and nestled into the far corner. It was a clinical finish, and East Bengal were 1-0 up.
The goal seemed to boost East Bengal’s confidence even more, and they continued to control possession for the majority of the first half. César Díaz and Bruno Ramires were pulling the strings in midfield, with their passing and vision causing problems for NorthEast United. The visitors, despite being down, were unable to respond effectively and struggled to create any meaningful chances.
NorthEast United’s best opportunity in the first half came from a Deshorn Brown header in the 38th minute. The Jamaican forward rose highest to meet a cross from Federico Gallego but could not direct the ball on target, much to the disappointment of his teammates. It was a missed opportunity that summed up NorthEast United’s struggles in the first half.
As the first 45 minutes drew to a close, East Bengal was well in control, leading by a goal and looking comfortable defensively. Their compact defense, led by Carlos Peña and Sukhdev Singh, had denied NorthEast United any real chances to get back into the game.
Second Half: NorthEast United’s Fightback
With the second half underway, César Farias made a few tactical changes to try and spark a comeback for NorthEast United. Lalrinzuala Chhangte and Rohit Kumar were brought on to add fresh legs and attacking flair. NorthEast United started to assert themselves more in possession, with Gallego taking on the creative duties in midfield.
They looked more dangerous early in the second half, testing the East Bengal defense more than they had in the first 45 minutes. Brown, in particular, was a constant threat, using his pace and power to trouble the East Bengal backline. In the 58th minute, Sujoy Pahari had a great chance to double East Bengal’s lead, but his effort from a well-weighted pass by Díaz was denied by Roy Chowdhury, who made a vital save to keep his team in the game.
As the match wore on, NorthEast United grew more desperate in their search for an equalizer. Federico Gallego’s creativity was evident as he tried to carve open the East Bengal defense with through balls and cross-field passes. However, East Bengal’s defense held firm, with Peña and Sukhdev Singh putting in commanding performances. Every time NorthEast United seemed close to scoring, either Arindam Bhattacharya, the East Bengal goalkeeper, or the defenders cleared the danger.
In the 75th minute, NorthEast United came close once again. Chhangte cut inside from the left wing and delivered a perfect cross into the box, but Deshorn Brown’s header was well-saved by Bhattacharya, who had positioned himself well to deny the striker. The save was a key moment in the match, as it preserved East Bengal’s narrow lead and frustrated NorthEast United further.
The final 15 minutes saw East Bengal drop deeper into their own half as they looked to protect their lead. NorthEast United threw everything forward, but they were unable to break through East Bengal’s well-organized defense. Ramires and Pahari worked tirelessly to disrupt NorthEast United’s buildup play and maintain possession for their side.
Conclusion: East Bengal Clinches Crucial Win
As the final whistle blew, East Bengal had held on to their 1-0 lead to secure a vital win. The three points were crucial for Alexandro Menéndez and his team, who had been under immense pressure following a slow start to the season. The win would boost their morale and provide the foundation for future performances as they looked to climb up the league table.
For NorthEast United, it was a disappointing result, as they were unable to capitalize on their second-half pressure. Despite creating a few decent chances, they lacked the cutting edge needed to break down the East Bengal defense. César Farias and his team will have to regroup and focus on refining their attacking play to ensure they remain competitive in the league.
Key Takeaways
- East Bengal FC secured their first win of the season, with Chima Chukwu scoring the only goal of the match.
- NorthEast United FC showed promise in the second half but were unable to convert their chances.
- East Bengal’s defense was resolute throughout the game, with key performances from Carlos Peña, Sukhdev Singh, and Arindam Bhattacharya.
- Federico Gallego and Deshorn Brown were the standout players for NorthEast United but could not make the difference.
With this win, East Bengal have now given themselves the confidence to move forward in the competition. NorthEast United, though disappointed, will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. The ISL 2024-25 season is still in its early stages, and both teams have much to play for.
