Durand Cup 2019: Super sub Bidyashagar Singh powers East Bengal to 2-1 triumph over Bengaluru FC - As it happened

Tune in for live commentary and updates from the Durand Cup 2019 clash between East Bengal and Bengaluru FC.

Updated : Aug 14, 2019 22:24 IST

Supporters take part in a rally ahead of East Bengal's centenary celebration day.
Supporters take part in a rally ahead of East Bengal's centenary celebration day.
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Supporters take part in a rally ahead of East Bengal's centenary celebration day.

 

And that brings us to a a terrific game of football. Bidyashagar Singh emerges the hero as his stunning second half brace guides East Bengal to its third win of the Durand Cup 2019. With the result, East Bengal remains unbeaten, and stays on top of Group A with nine points from three matches.

90+4' Off goes the full-time whistle and East Bengal has snatched a remarkable come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC.

90' The fourth official has signalled that we will have four minutes of added time. Enough time for Bengaluru FC to score and claim a point from this tie?

89' Jaime Colado wins a free-kick on the edge of the box and it's a chance for EB to make it 3-1. He loops the deadball into the box, but the Bengaluru defence does well to thwart the danger.

86' Last change for Bengaluru FC - Akashdeep Singh comes on for Biswa Darjee. It's a positive move from Naushad Moosa as he's introduced a forward with less than five minutes to go.

82' It's heartening to see that BFC don't appear to be bogged down by that  second goal. The side is still throwing men ahead and playing its fluid attacking game, all in the hope of an oh-so-crucial equaliser.

77' What a phenomenal few games Bidyashagar has enjoyed. He's racked up five goals in three matches and has announced himself in style. He's quick, reads the game well and of course, has a knack for scoring those key goals. And perhaps the best part, he's very quickly become a fan favourite - the crowd can't get enough of him! 

74' BIDYASHAGAR SINGH MAKES IT 2-1! He's done it again! The East Bengal academy graduate becomes the Durand Cup's joint top-scorer as he bags his second goal of the game. Bidyashagar makes a surging run from midfield, dodges two defenders, and sees himself in a 1v1 situation with the 'keeper. He coolly places the ball into the right bottom corner to hand East Bengal the lead with little over 15 minutes to go.

72' Second change for EB: Ralte is replaced by Tondomba Singh Naorem.

70' Right then, we're down to the last 20 minutes. It's a must-win for Bengaluru FC, while East Bengal needs  a point to ensure its path to the next round. Tense 20 minutes coming up!

So East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez's half-time talk has clearly made a world of change. Do you think Menendez did a Jurgen Klopp? More on what the German did here .

65' HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! Asheer Akthar leaps high to strike a powerful header, but Patra reacts just in time to keep the ball out of the net. This is a close, close game.

64' Change for BFC - Edmund Lalrindika is replaced by Advait Shinde.

60' The goal comes completely against the run of play and it's brought the stadium to life! Bidyashagar emerges as East Bengal's saviour, once again, and scores a fantastic goal to restore parity.

59' BIDYASHAGAR SINGH BAGS THE EQUALISER! The super sub does it again as he strikes a superb half volley, with his weaker foot, to bring East Bengal back into the match. GAME ON!

56' Augustine twists and turns and zooms towards the East Bengal box, but is tripped by Ralte at the edge of the box. It's a free-kick from a dangerous spot, but Roshan Singh's tame attempt is easily collected by EB 'keeper Ralte.

52' Much better from Brandon. He fires a curling effort from the edge of the box toward the right bottom corner, but Aditya Patra makes a fine diving save. East Bengal is mounting the pressure on this Bengaluru FC defence.

49' Braaaaandoooooon, ah it's wide! Kamalpreet plays a peach of a lob to Brandon on the left and the latter has acres of space ahead of him. He decides to go for a first time volley and connects well, but his left-footed strike sails well above the goal.

47' What a strike! Bidyashagar makes his intentions clear within a minute of coming on as he nearly finds the equaliser with a cracker of a shot. The Bengaluru 'keeper manages to keep it out, but not in very convincing fashion.

46' And East Bengal has made its first change of the evening: The wily goal scorer Bidyashagar has come on for Haokip.

46' KICK OFF!

45+1' Ralte plays a teasing lob into the box, but he can't find a teammate and that brings us to the end of the opening half. Ajay Chhetri's 17th minute strike sees Bengaluru FC lead 1-0. 

43' While BFC has successfully denied East Bengal so far, the not-so-rare lapses of concentration at the back is causing the side a lot of trouble. Two errors in the last three minutes could have cost them dearly, but East Bengal failed to capitalise.

40' We're racing towards the end of the opening half and Bengaluru FC has done extremely well to hold on to its slender one goal lead.

37' Haokip skies it! Mahata lays it for him on the left, but Haokip's first touch lets him down. He veers away from the goal and tries to squeeze in a shot, but it lands in the stands.

33' That's something! Parag launches a massive throw-in, from nearly 30 yards out, and Chhetri gets his head onto the ball but the attempt loops just above the goal.

30' Chance! Kisseka squares the ball towards Santos in the box, but a timely interception from a BFC defender sees the ball played out for a corner.

STAT: This is the first time East Bengal has conceded first in the Durand Cup 2019.

25' Bengaluru FC coach Naushad Moosa has clearly done his homework, and his boys are executing his plans to perfection. The young BFC side has looked mighty impressive over the last 10 minutes, and has held on to the ball for long periods. EB has made a couple of attacks down the right, but the BFC defence has stood strong.

20' The goal has certainly charged up this Bengaluru side. The young lads have showed no signs of slowing down and have the East Bengal defence scampering for cover!

17' WHAT A MAGNIFICENT GOAL! BENGALURU TAKES THE LEAD! It's a stunning, stunning goal. Leon Augustine makes a dizzying run down the right and releases Lalrindika on goal. He beats the 'keeper but his shot strikes the crossbar. Ajay Chhetri latches onto the rebound and slots it home with ease to make it 1-0.

So here's a little more detail on Pintu Mahata. The youngster had made headlines last year when he struck a stunning brace in the Kolkata derby. Here's more on him - Who is Pintu Mahata?

11' Drama! Pintu beats the 'keeper and crosses it for Santos, but he's struck on the head by a rash high tackle before he can get to the ball. It appears to be a clear penalty, but the ref has called for an indirect free-kick. Ralte has a go at goal, but his shot clatters into the wall.

8' Santos has his first crack at goal! Kamalpreet crosses it from the right and Santos attempts a first time volley, but can't quite connect. 

7' Lalrindika Ralte again! He plays another delightful chip for Pintu Mahata, but the 'keeper sweeps in just in time.

5' A very strong start for the home side. They've made repeated forays into the Bengaluru attacking third and look menacing up front.

3' What a chance! East Bengal fails to convert the corner and Bengaluru launches into a counter attack. Edmund Lalrindika is played through on goal with just the 'keeper to beat, but Asheer Akthar makes a last-ditch tackle to clear the danger. What a start for the Bengaluru colts!

2' We have our first corner of the game! Skipper Ralte plays a fine lob down the right and Abhishek controls its really well, but his cross is deflected for a corner.

1' KICK OFF!

6:00pm: Naushad Moosa is no stranger at the East Bengal ground. A former EB star himself, this is the first time will take on his former side as coach.

5:55pm: Many had said ahead of the campaign that East Bengal would find the goals hard to come by after Jobby Justin's departure from the side. But that hasn't been the case as the side has amassed eight goals in two games at the Durand Cup, with almost all of them coming from two men - Jaime Colado Santos and Bidyashagar. But hey, where's Jobby off to? Jobby Justin free to play for ATK

5:45pm: Speaking of Santos, he's been in absolutely mesmerising from so far, hasn't he? He scored a stunning freekick to guide East Bengal to a 2-0 win over Army Red and followed it up with a quickfire brace against Jamshedpur FC to take his tally to three goals. More to come from the Spaniard today?

5:40pm: Great news for East Bengal as Jaime Colado Santos has been named in the starting XI. The electric Spaniard was taken off after scoring an early brace in the 6-0 hammering of Jamshedpur, and has recovered in time to make it today's clash.

Meanwhile, coach Naushad Moosa has named an unchanged Bengaluru FC XI from the side's match against Army Red.

East Bengal resumes its Durand Cup 2019 campaign against Bengaluru FC this evening. The I-League club won both its opening matches and sits atop Group A with six points from two matches, while Bengaluru claimed a 1-1 draw against Army Red in its opening game.

Here's how the two teams will line-up today:

East Bengal : Mawia, Asheer, Borja Gomez, Kamalpreet, Jaime Colado Santos, Boithang Haokip, Pintu Mahata, Kassim Aidara, Didika, Abhishek, Brandon.

Bengaluru FC : Aditya Para, Sairuat Kima, Edmund Lalrindika, Parag Shrivas, Biswa Darjee, Naorem Roshan Singh, Namgyal Bhutia, Ajay Chhetri, Suresh Wangjam, Leon Augustine, Gursimrat Singh Gill.

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