East Bengal make Federation Cup semifinal with thrilling win
The crowd of the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri got full value for their money after witnessing an entertaining encounter between East Bengal and Kalighat Milan Sangha. East Bengal won the nail-biter 4-3 in their Group C encounter. For East Bengal, Manandeep Singh and Edeh Chidi scored the goals, while James Gbilee, Tanmoy Kundu and Christopher scored for KMS. The Red and Gold Brigade managed tio earn a spot in the semifinals of the 34th Federation cup with their win.
The match was scheduled to kickoff at 7pm, but started at 3 pm after some clubs complained to the Federation of possible match fixing between these two Kolkata clubs. East Bengal attacked right from the onset, and got three back-to-back corners due to the attacking onslaughts by Manandeep Singh and Edeh Chidi. But KMS defended well, not allowing East Bengal to take advantage of the set pieces.
On the 11th minute James Gbilee scored from a cross to give Kalighat a 1-0 lead. With Tanmoy Kundu’s strike Kalighat managed to double their lead within the next five minutes. East Bengal could feel the nerves as the match was slightly going out of their reach. But on the 26th minute East Bengal pulled one back to reduce the deficit, when Manandeep Singh found the net from Peen Orji’s cross.
Four minutes later Manandeep scored again, as he clinically finished a pass from Chidi to bring to bring the teams on level terms. The match was delicately poised, with both the teams looking for opportunity to score, but with just five minutes left to go before the break, KMS took the lead through the strike of Iyikwobe Christopher. East Bengal however managed to get a spot kick right at the 45 minute mark, and Edeh Chidi converted that into a goal making the scoreline 3-3 at half time.
East Bengal made a substitution just at the start of the second half. Arnab Mondol and Raju Gaikwad went out while Okpara and Gurwinder replaced them. East Bengal continued with their attack as shots from Chidi were saved by KMS goalkeeper. At the hour mark Chidi was fouled in the penalty box, which earned the Red and Gold another penalty. It was Chidi who stepped up again and scored, giving East Bengal a 4-3 lead over their opponent.
EB went on to defend well and held their nerves to claim the win. The roller coaster match came to an end after four minutes of injury time, with East Bengal booking top spot in Group C table with seven points. East Bengal will play their semi final match against Churchill Brothers on September 27.