East Bengal subdue Mohammedan SC 3-1 after surviving 2nd-half scares
Times of India | 17 February 2025
Kolkata: East Bengal FC survived some late anxious moments before subduing the challenge of Mohammedan SC 3-1 in their Indian Super League clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.
Mahesh Naorem Singh set the victory for Oscar Bruzon's team with his first goal of the season in the 27th minute and two more goals by second-half substitutes Saul Crespo (65) and David Lalhlansanga (89) clinched the deal. Carlos Franca briefly reduced the margin for Mohammedan SC in the 68th minute.
The victory took East Bengal to 21 points from 20 matches, keeping them on track of surpassing their highest points tally (24) they achieved last season.
On the other hand, the fourth successive defeat for troubled debutants and last-placed Mohammedan SC — now playing under assistant coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo — might open up a few wounds, mostly mental, for them but they more than played their part with their heart out, turning this apparent battle of laggards into a captivating spectacle.
In the first-leg fixture back on Nov 9, East Bengal had to fight with 9 men before salvaging a goalless draw.
Mahesh was one of those players having left the field with a marching orders in the 30th minute.
Bruzon's team, however, started this time with a clear-cut attacking intent and Mahesh's goal — when he was released by PV Vishnu down the left channel and beat the rival goalkeeper Padam Chhetri through his first post — was the reflection of their dominance.
With one of Nishu Kumar's corner hitting the bar and Raphale Messi Bouli failing to find the target twice, they could've even killed the game as a contest.
But Mehrajuddin's introduction of Bengal's Santosh Trophy hero Robi Hansda at the expense of Marc Schmerböck, who failed to beat Prabhsukhan Gill from a one-on-one situation in the team's only notable chance in the first half, opened up the game in a spectacular manner.
When Crespo cashed in on a piece of horrendous defending from Mohammedan SC's Vanlalzuidika, providing a simple finish to Messi Bouli's layoff a minute after Mahesh drew a spectacular save from Chhetri, it looked like East Bengal were on a stroll.
But Mohammedan SC threatened to turn the game on its head soon after. Hansda released Franca with a defence-splitting pass and the Brazilian beat Gill with a left-footed shot.
Action immediately switched at the other end, but the hosts — having survived a scare when Hector Yuste's header hit the crosspiece — were on the prowl again. As Gill somehow blocked Alexis Gomez's free-kick, it created a pandemonium in the East Bengal box. Hansda's shot on the rebound ricocheted off the bar and Anwar Ali and Nishu Kumar had to come up with two more goal-line saves to deny Mohammedan SC.
The host kept believing as Debjit Majumdar — who replaced Gill — needed to stay alert in thwarting more dangers. Dimitrios Diamantakos finished another match without scoring but the Greek striker provided the telling assist for David to find the insurance goal.
Provat Lakra's initial attempt was blocked by Makan Chothe but the ball fell favourably in David's path who turned and beat Chhetri with a powerful volley.
David didn't celebrate after scoring against his former team but it certainly brought a sense of relief and joy to his team.