Kolkata, 04/12/2023: East Bengal FC registered a thumping 5-0 victory over NorthEast United FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium in Kolkata on Monday.
The Red and Gold Brigade were the dominant side right from the start, creating numerous chances and putting pressure on the Highlanders’ defense. Their persistence paid off in the 21st minute when Cleiton Silva broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal.
East Bengal continued to pile on the pressure, and their efforts were rewarded once again in the 38th minute when Antonio Perošević doubled their lead with a clinical finish. Just before halftime, East Bengal struck again, with Ivan Kaliuzhnyi making it 3-0 with a powerful header.
NorthEast United tried to fight back in the second half, but they were unable to penetrate the East Bengal defense. The Red and Gold Brigade continued to dominate, and they added two more goals in the final stages of the match. Substitute Lalchungnunga Siamsang put the icing on the cake with a goal in the 85th minute, and Suhair Vadakke sealed the win with a strike in the 90th minute.
The 5-0 victory was a statement of intent from East Bengal, who are now unbeaten in their last three matches. The win also moved them up to the fifth position in the ISL table, while NorthEast United remained in the seventh position.
ISL Match Highlights: East Bengal vs NorthEast United FC
- 21st minute: Cleiton Silva breaks the deadlock for East Bengal with a well-taken goal.
- 38th minute: Antonio Perošević doubles East Bengal’s lead with a clinical finish.
- 45th minute: Just before halftime, East Bengal strikes again with Ivan Kaliuzhnyi making it 3-0 with a powerful header.
- 85th minute: Substitute Lalchungnunga Siamsang puts the icing on the cake for East Bengal with a goal
- 90th minute: Suhair Vadakke seals the win for East Bengal with a strike in the dying minutes of the match.
East Bengal was the dominant side throughout the match and thoroughly deserved the win. They were the better team in all aspects of the game and created numerous chances. NorthEast United tried to fight back but were unable to penetrate the East Bengal defense.
ISL Post-Match Reactions: East Bengal’s Thumping Win Over NorthEast United
East Bengal
Head Coach Stephen Constantine: “I’m very happy with the result and the performance. We were the dominant team from start to finish, and we created a lot of chances. We could have scored even more goals, but I’m satisfied with the five we got. The boys played with great intensity and discipline, and they executed the game plan perfectly. This is a big win for us, and it gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”
Cleiton Silva (Man of the Match): “I’m delighted to have scored a goal and helped the team win. We played really well today, and we deserved the victory. The atmosphere here at VYBK is always amazing, and it gives us the extra push we need on the field.”
Antonio Perošević: “It was a great team performance today. We moved the ball quickly, created space, and took our chances. I’m happy to have contributed with a goal, and I hope we can continue this momentum in the upcoming matches.”
NorthEast United
Head Coach Marco Balbul: “We were not good enough today. We made too many mistakes, especially in the first half, and East Bengal punished us for them. We were chasing the game from the beginning, and it was difficult to get back into it. We need to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger in the next game.”
Mirco Muratović: “It was a tough day for us. We didn’t play according to our plan, and East Bengal was the better team. We need to forget about this game and focus on the next one. We have to show our character and bounce back from this defeat.”
Hernan Santana: “East Bengal was very aggressive, and we couldn’t cope with their pressure. We gave away the ball too easily, and they took advantage of our mistakes. We have to be more careful in the future and work harder to win the ball back.”
Overall
The post-match reactions reflect the contrasting emotions in both camps. East Bengal is over the moon with their dominant performance and crucial victory, while North United is left disappointed and frustrated with their errors and defeat. Both teams have lessons to learn from this match, and it will be interesting to see how they respond in their next encounters.
Conclusion
This match was a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. East Bengal’s confidence soared with their dominant display, while NorthEast United must regroup and address their defensive frailties. The Red and Gold Brigade’s emphatic win propels them into the top five of the ISL table, while NorthEast United remains in seventh. Both teams have crucial matches ahead, and it will be fascinating to see how they respond to this contrasting encounter.
This decisive victory marks a significant turning point for East Bengal, showcasing their potential to challenge for the playoffs. NorthEast United, on the other hand, must go back to the drawing board and find Lösungen (solutions) to their defensive woes if they want to climb the ISL ladder.
