EBFC 3-1 DHFC, Durand Cup 2024 Highlights: East Bengal gets consecutive win after beating Downtown Heroes

After scoring, Jesin TK, who’s from Kerala, brings out a shirt with a solidarity message for Wayanad. “Stay strong Wayanad. We are with you. This is for you,” it reads.

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The referee blows the whistle for full time as East Bengal takes all three points with them after beating Downtown Heroes quite comfortably.

Jesin scores his first senior goal for East Bengal! It was a poor giveaway from the defenders but Jesin kept his cool to shimmy away from the defender to net the ball in the top left corner.

The match is in its business end.

Tanmay Das comes on for Madih Talal for East Bengal. Atassi makes way for Ahteeb. Gursimrat Gill also comes on for East Bengal.

Atassi sees yellow.

Riyas comes off for Frenchman Giglio.

David is shown a yellow card as he comes off for Jesin TK.

Talal tries a training ground routine but fails in executing it.

Zahid is given marching orders.

Great footwork from the substitute Ajad as he went past a host of defenders before being brought down for a freekick outside the box.

Lalchungnunga is booked.

Shahmeer gets booked.

Ajad comes on for Naorem Mahesh.

Aafreen is brought down by Aman outside the East Bengal box, about 30m from the goal. The shot is taken by Snorton but a deflection sends it back for a corner.

Imad out, Israr in.

A ball floats inside the box and it finds its way to an unmarked Hijazi who tries to toepoke the ball inside the net but the Downtown goalie gets a strong glove to stop the attempt.

Hyder, who tackled Talal, and Riyas get yellow cards.

Talal and it seems like Hyder were at the ends of a bit of headbutting and pushing and shoving, but the skippers come and cool things down.

Zahid of Downtown Heroes gets a yellow card.

Defender Atassi is getting his thigh tended to as there’s a pause in the game.

Zubair and Calvin comes on for Downtown, Vishnu makes way for Aman.

The second half of East Bengal vs Downtown Heroes in the Durand Cup 2024 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan starts in Kolkata.

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Vishnu had a lukewarm shot at goal but goalie Umaid was there to collect it. That was the last attack of the half as the referee blew the whistle for halftime.

The last few minutes have been quiet from both sides, just a lot of passing all around the pitch, with East Bengal keeping most of the ball.

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And the Spaniard skips, hops, and rolls the back into the net past the keeper. East Bengal takes the lead once again.

A great run for PV Vishnu as he was entering from the right flank, but the Downtown defender ran through him.

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A ball comes in inside the box from a freekick as after a deflection, the ball comes towards Aafreen and Rakip. East Bengal’s Rakip tries to clear his lines but the ball hits Aafreen and moves towards the goal. The ball hits Prabhsukhan Gill and goes inside the net.

A great pass from Mahesh across the face of the goal towards David, but a heavy touch saw the ball go far from the forward’s reach.

And Talal does just that! The midfielder tricks the goalie and goes for the far post as the ball nestles into the bottom right corner to give East Bengal the lead.

Great position for East Bengal to get the lead. Madih Talal was fouled at the edge of the box.

Talal’s corner found a leaping Hijazi, whose header caught a deflection inside the box and made its way towards the Downtown goalie.

A flurry of chances for Downtown keeps the East Bengal backline busy as the crosses coming into the box have been poor from the away side.

East Bengal has been the side with the attacks in these opening minutes, but too many shirts inside the box aren’t helping the Red and Gold Brigade’s case.

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First corner for East Bengal as Madih Talal delivers it towards Saul Crespo at the edge of the box as the Spaniard goes for the volley first time but skies it.

East Bengal vs Downtown Heroes at the Durand Cup 2024 is underway at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Credit: Debasish Bhaduri/The Hindu

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Courtesy: East Bengal

After a narrow 0-1 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in its opening match, Downtown Heroes opened its account with a win against Indian Air Force with a 2-0 victory.