Emami East Bengal vs Indian Navy, Durand Cup HIGHLIGHTS: INFT holds EEB down to a goalless draw
All the highlights as Emami East Bengal concede a goalless draw against Indian Navy FT after a hard-fought fixture at Kolkata.
Updated : Aug 22, 2022 21:53 IST
Mobashir Rahman of Emami East Bengal and Abhishek N Joshy of Indian Navy FT attempting to win a header during their sides’ Durand Cup clash at Kolkata. | Photo Credit: Suman Chattopadhyay
FULL TIME
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A high intensity game for the spectator but a frustrating one if you are an Emami East Bengal supporter. The side boasts of some experienced professionals who are regulars at the top-flight. But even after 90+ minutes action, they couldn’t breach the goal of the Indian Navy FT.
The Indian Navy side can take great pride in its performance today. It was resolute in defense and composed in the midfield were it frequently outplayed the ISL side. The star of the show for the Navy side was Harikrishna AU, who was a constant menace to EEB. The midfielder linked up play with confidence and was unnerved in possession even under pressure from his opposite numbers.
Emami East Bengak will next be up against Rajasthan United FC, who had earlier pulled off the upset of the tournament against ATK Mohun Bagan. The Navy side, will have a nine-day break, after which it will face ATKMB on August 31.
EEB wins possession back and sets off on a quick break. But the Navy halts the progression. Meanwhile, Hari goes down on a heap. He limps back up and is back on. EEB desperate to get the ball into the box. But Hari is there to intercept it. This is a performance that could change his career. And the referee calls time. 0-0 it is. The first goalless draw of the tournament.
Another cross from Tuhin. This time Lima makes a touch but Vishnu claws it away and the defense hacks it away before Suhair pounced on it. Navy passes its way out of trouble with confidence unseen in this tournament. The composure from this Navy side amidst mounting pressure is praiseworthy.
A lot of Navy players have gone to the floor and have received attention from their physios. Is this shrewd game management from the Navy side? We can only speculate.
Another chance goes begging for EEB. Tuhin whips in a gem of a cross from the left. Both Passi and Suhair had a chance to bundle it in. But, somehow, they both failed to make any sort of contact.
EEB committing more men forward. Constantine understands the importance of getting those three points considering the dynamics of this particular group.
Navy escapes again. Lima scuffs a shot from the edge of the box. A goal is around the corner and the way the game has been moving, EEB is the favourite to get that.
Navjot tries to go past Suhair, who for some reason was in the right back position. Suhair is a bit too fast and strong for Navjot. But the fact that Suhair was in that position doesn’t augur well for the team structure of EEB. BIGG CHANCEEEE. Sumeet Passi again. He goes one on one with the keeper and shoots straight at Vishnu. The keeper’s positioning and awareness was perfect there. But Constantine will be wondering why his side is not leading yet.
Navy wins another corner. Another good corner from Harikrishna. But EEB defense was in the right shape. Pintu unleashes one from distance, but no accuracy for the Navy man.
Stephen Constantine is not carrying the looks of a happy man. He would have been hoping for a more straightforward game. Lima lifts a cross from the left wing almost within the heading arc of Suhair. But he couldn’t reach it for all his effort.
Indian Navy FT’s discipline and intensity have been admirable. The way its midfielders regrouped to nip that counterattack is just one proof of that. All that it lacks is composure in the final third.
High boot from Ankit Mukherjee. Looked a bit dangerous, and he gets a yellow card from the referee. A freekick opportunity for the Navy. Novin Gurung drifts one in and EEB gives away a corner. The home side breaks way for a counter but Navy regroups to cut it short.
Emami East Bengal has turned it up in the second half. But still, it has failed to create clear-cut chances. Navy tries to break down EEB from the right. But the defense holds.
Suhair and Lima link up outside the box. Lima draws a foul and goes over a bit too easily. EEB has a brilliant chance from this freekick. Lima takes it himself, but he couldn’t clear the wall. Corner now for EEB. Vishnu punches it away.
Hari steals the ball for Navy, but Amarjit wins it straight back and it eventually turns into a corner for EEB. Suhair gets up well, but mistimes his header. SUMEETT STRIKESS THE POSST. The skipper launches one from range and it rattles the upright. Navy survives.
The game is edging on into the nervy territory where both sides play with a realisation that a mistake could be fatal. For all of Suhair’s speed and strength, the Navy’s defense has succeeded in keeping him away from dangerous positions.
Change of sides. But will that mean a change in fortune for either sides. Let’s wait and watch. Navy wins a corner straight up. Hari sends in a wicked delivery. But the deflected header is gobbled up by Kamaljit.
HALF TIME!!
Indian Navy FT will be the happier of both sides. It has had a better share of possession and it has stood up well against its much more illustrious opponent. Meanwhile, Emami East Bengal has shown signs of clicking into shape. VP Suhair has been the brightest spark for the Kolkata-based side. We move into the second half with the scoreboard unmoved.
Indian Navy has performed admirably well against a high-quality opposition. It is true that EEB is not the behemoth it was. But it has some experienced professionals in its ranks and the Navy side hasn’t shown any signs of being overawed.
Suhair collides with Vivek and collapses clutching his chest. The EEB physio is on the pitch to take a look at him. He is iced and he is back up. Cheers ringing for him.
Aniket’s through ball beats the navy defense, but Vishnu comes off his line to hoick it away. EEB showing more intensity in the attack now.
The Navy side’s midfield is harrying its opposite numbers with some high intensive pressing. They finally produce enough space for Pintu take a shot. But it is a little too tame. Kamaljit handles it with ease.
Harikrishnan AU has been the central figure for the Indian Navy side. He has linked his side’s defense and attack with energy. His presence has enabled the side to play out from the back with confidence.
Emami East Bengal looked the better side in the early stages. But Indian Navy FT has held on and has improved its position with some snippy moves through the midfield. But neither side has created a solid chance so far.
Indian Navy threatens again with move down the left flank. The Naval side has been fast and direct and vertical with its game so far. But it has lacked the precision with the final pass.
Suhair’s influence in the game has been growing steadily. He is the reference point for almost all of EB’s attacks. He is also the one leading the pressure from upfront.
Indian Navy still with the ball. A high cross is floated in from the right wing, but Kamaljit rightly calls for it and claims it. But his distribution aiming for Suhair was a tad too strong. EB wins a throw close to the corner flag. A clearly pre-planned set piece move was attempted. But the shot from Amarjit wasn’t accurate enough.
Indian Navy FT getting better control over the possession. They string together a few passes and bypass the EB midfield. But the final pass wasn’t good enough.
Indian Navy has not been able to penetrate much into the enemy territory so far. East Bengal will be looking to pile on the pressure.
Naorem mahesh is down on the floor after a meaty collision with an opponent. He wins a free kick. IN keeper Vishnu fumbles the floated in free kick. But Indian navy survives.
Both teams aren’t willing to gamble too much this early. The Navy side works its way into East Bengal territory. But the ISL side quickly regains possession and push forward.
And we are off. The first test for a new-look East Bengal side. EB hoards the possession in the opening minutes. But nothing substantial has been built so far.
LINEUPS ARE OUT!!
EMAMI EAST BENGAL - Kamaljit (GK), Chungununga, Sumeet Passi (C), Aniket Jadav. Amarjit Singh, Suhair, Angousana, Mobashir, Ankit Mukherjee, Naorem Mahesh, Pritam Singh
Indian Navy FT - Vishnu (C) (GK), Abhishek Joshy, Pintu Mahata, Sreyas, Bibake Thapa, Vivek, Novin Gurung, Navjot Singh, Harikrishnan, Britto, Adersh
Indian Super League side Emami East Bengal’s new era of football will lift off today at the Salt Lake Stadium, as it begins its Durand Cup campaign with a clash against Indian Navy FT.
RELATED: DURAND CUP - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Indian Navy FT had begun off the wrong foot in India’s oldest football tournament after it lost to Mumbai City 4-1 last week. The Naval side though had taken the lead and threatened an upset before the ISL side ran away with the game.
East Bengal - Possible Squad
Goalkeepers: Kamaljit Singh, Pawan Kumar
Defenders: Pritam Kumar Singh, Mohammad Rakip, Sarthak Golui, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Iván González, Charalambos Kyriakou, Lalchungnunga
Midfielders: Mobashir Rahman, Souvik Chakrabarti, Alex Lima, Amarjit Singh Kiyam
Forwards: Aniket Jadhav, Naorem Mahesh Singh, VP Suhair, Sumit Passi, Cleiton Silva, Eliandro
Where is East Bengal vs Indian Navy in Durand Cup?
East Bengal vs Indian Navy FT is being played at the Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) in Kolkata.
When is East Bengal vs Indian Navy being played?
The match between East Bengal vs Indian Navy FT is scheduled for a 6 pm kick-off IST.
Where can I watch East Bengal vs Indian Navy?
The Durand Cup fixture – East Bengal vs Indian Navy FT – will be aired on Sports18 and Sports18 HD.
Sports18 is available on Tata Play (Channel No. 488), Airtel Digital (Channel No. 293), JioTV+ (Channel No. 262 – SD, 261 – HD) and Sun Direct (Channel No. 505).
Where can I live stream East Bengal vs Indian Navy?
The Durand Cup fixture – East Bengal vs Indian Navy FT – will be on Voot and JioTV.