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ISL 2024-25: East Bengal Beats NorthEast United FC 1-0 to Clinch First Win of the Season
In a hard-fought encounter at the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, East Bengal secured their first win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over NorthEast United FC. This crucial win not only brought relief to the East Bengal camp but also showed their potential to challenge the top spots as the season progresses. The match saw a blend of intense attacking and disciplined defending, with the single goal proving to be enough to seal the three points for the Kolkata-based club.
Pre-Match Build-up: East Bengal Seeking Redemption
After a disappointing start to their campaign, East Bengal were under pressure to deliver a positive result in front of their home crowd. The club, with a rich history in Indian football, had failed to make an impact in their opening fixtures, leaving fans frustrated and concerned. This match was seen as a crucial moment for East Bengal to kickstart their season and get back on track.
On the other hand, NorthEast United FC had enjoyed a solid start to the season, with their attack looking dangerous and their defense relatively tight. The club from the northeastern part of India had shown promise in their early games but was now looking to continue their momentum against an East Bengal side that was still finding its rhythm.
The stage was set for a compelling contest as both teams took to the pitch with aspirations of earning their first win. East Bengal needed the victory to build confidence, while NorthEast United FC sought to maintain their unbeaten run.
First Half: East Bengal’s Early Dominance
The match kicked off in front of a passionate crowd at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata, where East Bengal’s fans were hoping to witness a performance that would lift the spirits of the team. From the outset, East Bengal showed a high level of intensity, pressing NorthEast United early and asserting dominance in midfield.
Alexandro Menéndez, East Bengal’s coach, set his team up in an attacking formation, with Sujoy Pahari and César Díaz providing creativity in midfield. Up front, Daniel Chima Chukwu was the focal point of the attack, looking to capitalize on any half-chances that came his way. The home side’s high press caused problems for NorthEast United’s defenders, who were often forced into hurried clearances.
East Bengal’s dominance paid off in the 22nd minute, when Chima Chukwu finally broke the deadlock. A well-executed cross from Bruno Ramires found the Nigerian striker inside the penalty box, who cleverly directed the ball into the back of the net. The goal was a result of East Bengal’s constant pressure and a moment of clinical finishing from Chima Chukwu, who was in the right place at the right time.
The goal gave East Bengal the confidence they needed, and they continued to control possession for the remainder of the first half. NorthEast United FC, although trying to build some attacking momentum, struggled to break down the solid defense put up by Carlos Peña and Sukhdev Singh. The home side’s compact formation allowed little space for the visitors, and as the first half progressed, it became clear that East Bengal was the more assertive side.
NorthEast United’s best chance came in the 38th minute when Deshorn Brown, their Jamaican forward, found space on the left wing and drilled a low cross into the box. However, the East Bengal defense was alert, and Arindam Bhattacharya, the goalkeeper, was quick off his line to clear the danger. Brown’s movement had caused problems, but his delivery was well-defended by the home team.
As the halftime whistle blew, East Bengal were in the driver’s seat, with a 1-0 lead to show for their superior play. The goal from Chima Chukwu was the only thing separating the two teams at that stage, but it was clear that NorthEast United would need to come up with something special in the second half to get back into the game.
Second Half: NorthEast United’s Fightback
With the advantage heading into the second half, East Bengal needed to ensure they didn’t get complacent and throw away the three points. On the other hand, César Farias, the NorthEast United head coach, made a few tactical changes at halftime to inject fresh energy into his side. He brought on Lalrinzuala Chhangte and Rohit Kumar to add more attacking flair, hoping to create more opportunities in the final third.
NorthEast United started the second half brightly, pushing forward and attempting to break down the East Bengal defense. Brown continued to be the focal point of their attacks, with his pace and dribbling ability causing problems for the East Bengal fullbacks. However, the home team’s defense remained resolute, with Carlos Peña and Sukhdev Singh showing excellent composure to deal with the aerial threats and pace of the NorthEast United forwards.
In the 58th minute, East Bengal had a chance to double their lead when Sujoy Pahari was played through on goal after a brilliant through ball by Díaz. However, the midfielder’s shot was well-blocked by Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, NorthEast United’s goalkeeper, who came off his line quickly to make a crucial save.
As the match wore on, NorthEast United increased their attacking efforts, knowing that they had to score to keep their unbeaten run intact. Federico Gallego, their attacking midfielder, looked to orchestrate the play from midfield, trying to unlock East Bengal’s defense with his precise passing. However, the East Bengal defense, led by Arindam Bhattacharya, stood firm, denying NorthEast United any clear-cut chances.
In the 75th minute, NorthEast United came closest to equalizing when Chhangte found space on the left wing and whipped in a dangerous cross. However, Deshorn Brown’s header was brilliantly saved by Bhattacharya, who had positioned himself well to deny the Jamaican striker. The save was a key moment in the match, as it preserved East Bengal’s lead and further frustrated the visitors.
Despite their efforts, NorthEast United couldn’t find a way past East Bengal’s defense in the remaining minutes of the match. The visitors continued to push forward, but their final ball lacked precision, and East Bengal were able to see out the game.
East Bengal’s Defensive Solidity and Resilience
One of the standout features of East Bengal’s performance was their defensive resilience. Despite not having a second goal to cushion their lead, the backline remained solid throughout the match, limiting NorthEast United’s chances. Arindam Bhattacharya, who had a quiet game for the most part, was alert when needed, making key saves to ensure his side kept the clean sheet.
East Bengal’s midfield also worked tirelessly to break up NorthEast United’s attacks and retain possession. Ramires and Pahari provided the necessary balance in both attack and defense, tracking back when needed and keeping the visitors from gaining any foothold in the game.
Conclusion: A Crucial Win for East Bengal
As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of East Bengal, who had secured their first win of the season. The victory was much-needed for the team, who had faced pressure after a lackluster start to the season. With Chima Chukwu’s goal proving to be the difference, East Bengal now have three valuable points to build upon as they look ahead to their upcoming fixtures.
For NorthEast United, it was a disappointing result, as their attacking efforts were not enough to break down East Bengal’s defense. However, they will take solace in the fact that they showed resilience and created opportunities, even if they couldn’t convert them.
The victory boosts East Bengal’s morale, and they will look to carry this momentum into the next phase of the season. As for NorthEast United, they will need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming matches as they continue to chase the playoffs.
With this win, East Bengal has shown that they are capable of competing at the highest level in the ISL, and if they can continue to build on this performance, they could be a force to reckon with in the 2024-25 season.
