Defending Champions begins Kolkata League with a 5 goal thriller

Saturday, August 18, 2012 Report by Mainak Chakraborty

Record winners of Kolkata League Kingfisher East Bengal kicked off their campaign today in a bright and sunny weather at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan against newly promoted side Eastern Railway S.C. Eastern Railway came in the big stage after suffering one year of relegation last year. Defending Champions Kingfisher East Bengal wanted to kick off their in a good fashion and they did that with great style.

East Bengal were without many of their regular players due to national side duties and also some registration problems to their key foreigners Okpara and Penn. Edeh Chiddi, East Bengal’s key signing in striking zone this year was fielded by Coach Morgan along with Baljit Singh Sahni upfront. Kevin Lobo, Harmanjot Khabra, Ishfaq Ahmed and Vashum completed the 4 man midfield for the Red and Gold brigade. Experienced Arnab Mondal and young Safar Sardar were the defense wall for this game along with two wing backs Saikat Saha Roy and Soumik Dey. Gurpreet Singh Sahni completed the 11 men line up under the bars for the Champions.

From the very beginning of the game, East Bengal totally gripped the game. They were the dominating force from the very second of kick off. East Bengal started their ocean of goals from the 6th minute of the game. Edeh Chiddi dribbled past two and turned 360 and chipped the ball to an open Baljit Singh Sahni in the box. Baljit kept his calm and finished the great movement with a fine goal. East Bengal totally ransacked the entire Eastern Railway defense as they were attacking with tremendous pressure in the opponent’s half. The Red and Gold brigade were looking like well-oiled machine as they were playing a great team game with full confidence and perfect accuracy. Though there were some glimpses of error from the Champions but that happen when you play the very first game of the season. The second goal came in the 24th minute of the game when again East Bengal’s star signing Edeh Chiddi ran through the entire right wing and then produced an impressive chip to the head of Kevin Lobo who gave a world class header which was beyond the reach of the keeper. East Bengal were roaring like the lions of the jungle. East Bengal got more chances to increase their lead and they capitalized their great attacks to perfection as they went 3-0 up in the 33rd minute of the match. This time it was again Baljit Singh Sahni. Vashum gave a picture perfect pass to Baljit and he made no mistake to place the ball in the top corner of the net. Within 3 minutes of the third goal, Kevin Lobo dodged pass two defenders and placed the ball which was saved by the keeper but the rebound landed in the feet of Edeh Chiddi and he made no mistake to score his first goal in an East Bengal jersey. East Bengal were leading by four goals within 40 minutes of the match and were the total dominating power in the match. This was a very one sided match as Eastern Railway could not even produce a contructive movement in the game. The lost glory of Eastern Railway seemed to vanish as years passed by. The first half ended with a resounding 4-0 scoreline to the giants!

The second half started with more pace and powerful attacks of the Red and Gold brigade. There was some defensive strategies too in the second half as coach Morgan wanted to taste his defense too. East Bengal were totally flamboyant in the second half in every section of the game. Starting from defense to midfield and attack, East Bengal were like a smooth car running stealthily. The charismatic attacking of East Bengal was paid off as they glittered like gold when Alvito came as a substitute. His presence was well felt by East Bengal as he produced some eye soothing game in front of a good crowd at YBK. In the 74th minute of the match, Harmanjot Singh Khabra gave a superb through to Baljit Singh Sahni who placed the ball in the net to clinch his hatrick in the very first game of the season. Then he was taken out of field due to his leg injury and Branco Cardozo filled his position for the last 10 minutes. The referee blew his whistle as rain started pouring heavily in the Yuba Bharati Krirangan but the Red and Gold brigade were burning like the flame which will never stop burning! The fiery “Moshal” of East Bengal were burning bright from the very beginning as this may be the start of the great Saga of another year in East Bengal’s rich and golden history!





KINGFISHER EAST BENGAL FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Saikat Saha Roy (Abhishek Das), Arnab Mondal, Safar Sardar, Saumik Dey, Reisangmei Vashum (Alvito D’Counha), Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Cavin Lobo, Ishfaque Ahmed, Baljit Singh Sahni (Branco Cardozo), Chidi Edeh