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PV Vishnu and Jeakson Singh struck as the Torchbearers capitalized on their momentum coming into the game to pick up a 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC.
ISL: East Bengal defeated Chennaiyin FC (FSDL)
East Bengal FC registered their second successive win in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League with a 2-0 triumph at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai against hosts Chennaiyin FC on Saturday.
PV Vishnu poked in the first goal of the fixture as the Torchbearers inched ahead in the 54th minute before Jeakson Singh’s belter in the 84th sealed the game for the tourists, who picked up another win to add to their victory against NorthEast United FC in their previous outing.
Owen Coyle opted to field Mohammad Nawaz in between the sticks on the day behind the defensive quartet of Laldinliana Renthlei, Laldianpuia, skipper Ryan Edwards and Mandar Rao Desai. Connor Shields, Lukas Brambilla, Lalrinliana Hnamte and Farukh Choudhary made up the midfield, while Daniel Chukwu Chima and Irfan Yadawan started up front.
Oscar Bruzon fielded Prabhshukan Gill in goal, while Provat Lakra, Hijazi Maher, Anwar Ali and Mohammad Rakip were in defence. The midfield five of PV Vishnu, Medih Tala, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo and Mahesh Singh Naorem looked to feed in lone striker Dimitrios Diamantakos.
The opening quarter of the game whisked by with the sides looking to wrestle for command of the ball with a number of half-chances for the hosts. The most notable one being a dangerous-looking cross into the centre of the danger area from Shields to the head of the leaping Chukwu Chima, who made significant contact with the ball floated in, but couldn’t keep his attempt on target.
The torchbearers conjured up a move to venture into the opposition box culminating in a deft lobbed ball past the defensive line of the hosts, but the supply landed in an area acute in reference to the goalpost and ultimately came to nothing.
Travelling East Bengal fans unfurled banners in colours contrast to the blue of the home side as they hoped for another win to follow up on their only win of the ongoing ISL season, against NEUFC in their previous game, but had to endure a first-period that was devoid of goals.
A recycled tifo from EBFC’s time in Bangalore was hung out adjacent to a ‘Probashe’ banner with the fan army of the century-old club in attendance provided for a dialogue in the stands.
The halftime activations of the ‘Perfect Kick’ to get the ball to the centre of the pitch from the d-box continued with a fan claiming a Chennaiyin jersey for keep at the end of the three-man-contest. Bruzon opted to bring in Brazilian Cleiton Silva at the start of the second half to make amends to the front line.
The away stand came alive in the 53rd minute of the game as Vishnu prodded the ball into the net after good work by the visitors on the right to find the chink in the CFC armour.
EBFC skipper Crespo had to be stretchered off the field around the hour mark as Jeakson Singh made his foray onto the grass.
Coyle brought on Wilmar Jordan Gil and Vincy Baretto on for Chukwu Chima and Yadawad as the home crowd responded with a thundering applause for the reinforcements introduced in order to pull back level in the game. Gurkirat Singh came in for Choudhary shortly after.
CFC were the perpetrators in a couple of clumsy challenges around the danger area as the clocked ticked on and desperation seeped in.
Coyle threw the kitchen sink at the game as he called on Elsinho and Kiyan Nassiri in the 72nd minute for Brambilla and Hnamte. Meanwhile, Bruzon had his unit venturing forward in an attempt to put the game to bed as Talal skied
his attempt from the edge of the zone following more impressive work on the right from the Torchbearers.
EBFC put the result beyond doubt as Jeakson hammered in a belter from outside the box in the 84th minute of the game as the travelling fans bellowed ‘East Bengal’ long into the Chennai sunset.