East Bengal FC finally broke their winless streak with a 2-1 victory against Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season. The thrilling match, held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Notably, this was East Bengal’s first win in five games, their last triumph being a 1-0 win over Jamshedpur FC on December 21.
Early Chances and Momentum Shift
At the start, Kerala Blasters dominated possession and looked threatening. Meanwhile, East Bengal relied on counter-attacks, waiting patiently for an opening. In the 15th minute, Dimitrios Diamantakos nearly scored after Naorem Mahesh Singh initiated a counter. However, Sachin Suresh made a critical save to deny the Greek striker.
Shortly afterward, East Bengal intensified their attacks. Cleiton Silva’s freekick forced Sachin into an awkward parry, allowing Richard Celis a chance to score. Unfortunately, Celis couldn’t find enough room to finish.
As the momentum shifted, East Bengal took the lead in the 20th minute. Cleiton delivered an exceptional long ball to PV Vishnu on the right flank. Vishnu outpaced his defender and chipped the ball over Sachin. Although Korou Singh attempted to clear it, the ball trickled over the line, putting East Bengal ahead.
Before the break, East Bengal came close to doubling their lead twice. First, Diamantakos set up Cleiton in the penalty area, but Sachin made a brilliant save. Then, Celis fired a long-range shot that hit the post. Importantly, this was the first time in nine games that East Bengal ended the first half with a lead.
Blasters Fight Back
After halftime, Kerala Blasters emerged with renewed energy. They attacked with intent, with Noah Sadaoui orchestrating most of their moves. To add more firepower, the team introduced Kwame Peprah in the 58th minute.
Despite their efforts, East Bengal’s defense stood strong. Noah came close to equalizing when he broke through the backline, but Lalchungnunga made a timely block to stop his shot.
In the 72nd minute, East Bengal doubled their advantage. Mahesh Singh delivered a precise corner, and Hijazi Maher, left unmarked, rose high to head the ball into the net. This goal gave the hosts a crucial two-goal cushion.
Kerala’s Late Response
Determined to stay in the game, Kerala Blasters pushed forward aggressively. Their persistence paid off in the 84th minute when Danish Farooq scored a late goal. He pounced on a clearance from Hijazi and struck the ball into the bottom corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
In the final minutes, Kerala Blasters continued to search for an equalizer. However, East Bengal’s defense, led by Lalchungnunga, held firm. Cleiton Silva had a chance to secure the win with a fast-break opportunity, but his close-range shot missed the target.
Standout Performances and Future Fixtures
Lalchungnunga delivered a stellar defensive performance. He blocked multiple attacks and supported Jeakson Singh, who was playing as a makeshift right-back. Additionally, the young defender registered two clearances and completed 14 of 22 passes.
Looking ahead, East Bengal FC will face Mumbai City FC on January 31. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC will take on Chennaiyin FC on January 30.
This victory not only ended East Bengal’s three-game losing streak but also provided them with a much-needed boost in confidence for the rest of the campaign.