East Bengal’s Durand Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bangladesh Army Football Team (BAFT) on Sunday. Despite securing a two-goal lead in the first half, East Bengal failed to maintain their advantage and allowed BAFT to score two late equalizers.
The match started positively for East Bengal, with new coach Carles Cuadrat making several changes to the starting XI. They quickly took control of the proceedings, and Saul Crespo converted a perfect penalty to give them the lead. Javier Siverio then extended their advantage with another goal, putting them in a comfortable position going into halftime.
However, reminiscent of their defensive struggles in the previous season, East Bengal once again showcased some dreadful defending. In the 67th minute, defender Nishu Kumar received a red card for an off-the-ball challenge, giving BAFT an opportunity to turn the game around. Seizing the moment, BAFT scored two goals in the final eight minutes of the match to salvage a draw.
BAFT’s first equalizer came in the 88th minute when captain Mehedi Hasan’s long throw-in was flicked back into the box by an East Bengal defender. Jordan Elsey’s intervention inadvertently set up Shahariar Emon who struck a left-footed shot, beating East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill.
With the match heading towards a draw, East Bengal’s defense committed another costly mistake. A back-pass from Harmanjyot Khabra was intercepted by Mamun from BAFT, who unleashed a shot. Although Gill managed to make a save, substitute Meraj Pradhan was on hand to slot the rebound into the back of the net.
The result leaves East Bengal with a challenging task ahead as they prepare for their upcoming derby against Mohun Bagan on Saturday.
Despite the disappointment in the second half, East Bengal’s performance in the first half showed promise. The team featured nine fresh faces in the starting lineup, with Naorem Mahesh Singh and Lalchungnunga being the only survivors from the previous season. They dominated the game from the start and went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Cuadrat made some substitutions on the hour mark, replacing Crespo, Siverio, and Vanlalpeka. However, Nishu’s red card disrupted East Bengal’s momentum and allowed BAFT to exploit the numerical advantage. BAFT began to increase their aerial pressure, ultimately leading to their two late goals.
In other Durand Cup matches on Sunday, Delhi FC and Hyderabad FC played out a 1-1 draw, with Himanshu and Chhunga getting on the scoresheet for their respective teams.
Looking ahead, Monday’s fixtures will feature Odisha FC taking on the Indian Army and Mohun Bagan facing Punjab FC.
Overall, East Bengal’s draw against BAFT has highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities and poses a significant challenge for coach Cuadrat ahead of the crucial derby clash against Mohun Bagan. The team will need to address their defensive lapses and find a way to secure a victory in their upcoming matches.
