2003 ASEAN Cup Victory at Indonesia

In 2003 at ASEAN CUP, East Bengal club got the invitation to play the tournament at Indonesia. It was a 12 team tournament and East Bengal was placed in Group D with Philippine Army XI of Philippines and BEC Tero Sasana FC of Thailand.

On 14th July East Bengal played their opening match against BEC Tero Sasana FC. East Bengal lost the match 1-0. On 16th July, in the second group match, East Bengal defeated Philippine Army XI by 6-0. Bhaichung Bhutia scored 5 goals with a hat-trick. The other goal was scored by Mahesh Gawli.

In the quarter final East Bengal faced Parsita Tangerang of Indonesia. On 21st July, East Bengal won the match by 2-1. Bhaichung Bhutia and Bijen Singh scored one goal each.

In the semi final on 24th July, East Bengal faced Petrokimia Putra of Indonesia. East Bengal won the match by 7-6 on Penalty shootout. In the regulation time and in extra time both the teams were locked at 1-1.  Bhaichung Bhutia scored the goal in the regulation time.

In the final on 26th July, East Bengal faced BEC Tero Sasana FC. East Bengal won the match by 3-1 and lifted the first ASEAN Cup. It was the biggest international tournament that any Indian Club has won so far. For East Bengal Bhaichung Bhutia, Mike Okoro and Alvito D’Cunha scored one goal each.

Bhaichung Bhutia was the top scorer of the tournament with 8 Goals.

Compiled By: Rajarshi Ghosh