Mohun Bagan Super Giant drew 2-2 to East Bengal FC as the first Kolkata Derby of the 10th season of the Indian Super League (ISL) presented an all-time classic at the Salt Lake Stadium tonight. Antonio Lopez Habas, head coach of the Mariners, had predicted before the game that a match like this could swing different ways in 90 minutes, and so it did with both sides netting once each in either half to walk away with a point to their names.
East Bengal FC stormed into this clash high on confidence after winning the Kalinga Super Cup, and that was evident in the suddenness with which they got their act running in front of a jam-packed stadium. Fullback Nishu Kumar lobbed in an inch-perfect delivery for Ajay Chhetri inside the 18-yard box and the young midfielder got to the end of the ball and hammered it home with a full stretched leg extension that got the crowd going from the get-go in the 3rd minute.
However, Habas had made it a point to reiterate his impeccable derby credentials before the game, saying, “I don’t have the sensation to lose because I’ve never lost against East Bengal.” His players were tasked with standing tall to that reputation tonight and they took the first step towards that courtesy of a clinical finish by striker Armando Sadiku in the 17th minute of the game. The goal should actually be a tribute to the fine finesse and skillsets of Brendan Hamill, who carved in a delightful delivery that Sadiku broke no sweat in converting to draw the scores level.
The Red & Gold Brigade were in no mood to step back though, and Hamill’s substitution due to an injury in the 52nd minute opened gateways for them. As Glan Martins was settling into the game, Carles Cuadrat’s side stepped up the ante, with Naorem Mahesh Singh earning a foul off Deepak Tangri in the 55th minute. Captain Cleiton Silva stepped up for spot-kick duties and pulled off a breathtaking panenka that caught Vishal Kaith completely off-guard. The proceedings thereafter suggested that Cuadrat’s side was well on course to rounding off their third Kolkata Derby win of the season, after beating the arch-rivals once each in the Durand Cup and the Super Cup.
Thankfully for Habas, Sahal Abdul Samad came to the rescue, showing a relentless attitude to make something out of the countless loose balls he encountered inside the box as the full-time whistle neared. After a tremendous passage of play that saw him struggling to recover possession, Sahal squared up a pass for Dimitrios Petratos in the 88th minute, and the forward completed the incomplete task by depositing the ball into the back of the net.
Punjab crush Bengaluru 3-1
Punjab FC roared to success with a convincing 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi to bag their second victory in the ISL season.
Goals came in thick and fast in a fixture that produced end-to-end, exciting action, much like what had transpired when the two teams squared off in the Garden City earlier in this campaign.
Opening the scoring was Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri, whose pass unlocked Naorem Roshan Singh on the left flank. The seasoned talisman sprinted admirably well to get to the end of the cross by Roshan, and beat an aerial challenge by Greek centre-back Dimitris Chatziisaias to nod the ball into the back of the net.
The Blues were naturally expected to make the most of this early advantage, but the game slipped away from their hands courtesy of a seamless offensive performance by Punjab FC and their bolstered attacking contingent. The league debutants responded with a picture perfect replica of the goal scored by Chhetri, albeit from the opposite flank. Fullback Tekcham Abhishek Singh whipped in a cross for former NorthEast United FC forward Wimar Jordan Gil, who demonstrated laudable aerial prowess to leap forward and hammer the ball in through his head to draw the scores level.
Bengaluru FC has taken a conscious effort to strengthen their defence in the winter transfer window, but conceding thrice on an away turf isn’t the most ideal of starts to their activities in the January market.
Luka Majcen was a terrific presence in the Punjab FC frontline throughout the game, using his strong frame and quick burst of pace to breach past the Bengaluru FC backline and discover opportunities. One of his efforts was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 41st minute, but the Slovenian didn’t break a sweat in rounding off a counter attack initiated by Madih Talal in the 71st minute of the game. Talal showed good feet to lay out a terrific pass for Majcen and the striker strolled past the disoriented backline to receive and then strike the ball successfully past Sandhu.
After settling one goal, Talal decided to add another one to his tally by jumping upon a defensive error by Aleksandar Jovanović and storming into the box in his carefree demeanour to chip the ball over Sandhu and seal the deal for the home team. Chhetri had a chance to bring the game back on level terms after Majcen’s strikethrough. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate Chingambam Shivaldo Singh curled in a peach of a cross for his captain from the right flank, but Chhetri was unable to keep his headed shot on target, thus allowing Punjab FC to secure the three points lock, stock, and barrel, after Talal’s goal.
