Kolkata: If East Bengal FC are to reflect on their miserable campaign in the ISL Season-XI a month from now, they can zero in on a simple ‘home' truth — they have been too fragile, too feeble and too much driven by anxiety to live up to expectations in front of their fans.
If proof is needed, take their match against Chennaiyin FC here on Saturday as a case in point. Delhi Election Results 2025Saffron surge in Delhi as BJP ends AAP's reign in landslide victoryDelhi results: Complete list of winners from AAP, BJP and CongressTop 10 winners and losers in Delhi elections
The red-and-gold brigade's abject 0-3 surrender was another painful reminder of how Oscar Bruzon's team searched in vain for an injection of creativity in a blizzard of tedium.
First, they conceded through Nishu Kumar's own goal in the 13th minute. Wilmar Jordan made it 2-0 in the 21st minute. And second-half substitute Daniel Chukwu completed the task with the third goal deep in the stoppage time.
And of course East Bengal had a man down by that time — a recurring feature in their campaign. Lalchungnunga was first booked by referee Rahul Kumar Gupta for a foul on Irfan Yadwad and then immediately received his second booking for saying something unpleasant to the match official, leading to his expulsion in the first minute of the added-on time.
It was a perfect way for Chennaiyin to celebrate their coach Owen Coyle's 100th game in the league. With 21 points from 20 matches, they have kept their slim playoff hopes alive. For East Bengal — now with 18 points and out of top 10 again — they should now focus on the Super Cup and the AFC Challenge League to rescue something from the season.
Yet, Bruzon wanted to give their hopes in the ISL a try. Saul Crespo returned to the line-up and when chips were down after the break, handed new Cameroonian forward Raphael Messi Bouli a debut and brought Anwar Ali back in the team.
They looked hungrier and livelier in the second half, but the likes of Dimitri Diamantakos, Richard Celis and Anwar missed one target after another to let the opportunity for a comeback go.
Nothing seemed to be going East Bengal's way in the beginning as well and their predicament became evident when Wilmar set Connor Shields free inside the box and the British striker, after rounding the goalkeeper, tried to place the ball in with a back-heel from a tight angle. In the process, he got the benefit of a clanger from a sliding Nishu who instead of clearing the ball directed it towards his own goal.
Nishu was again found wanting in dealing with a threat when Chennai came calling from the right to notch up their second goal. Irfan — who had a brilliant game — zoomed past the East Bengal left-back with a sudden burst of acceleration and delivered the centre. Wilmar, taking Lalchungnunga's challenge in his stride, provided the finish to it with a tap-in
East Bengal hoped for a fightback in the second half but their efforts again fell short and ended up losing their fifth of the nine matches at home.