Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal HIGHLIGHTS ISL 2022-23: Former BFC man Cleiton Silva helps EB to win

Bengaluru is struggling to move the ball upfield in a meaningful fashion and Constantine must be loving how this is being played out. And it is full-time and Cleiton Silva has helped his side pull off a huge win against his former side. East Bengal fans bounce in joy. This might be the turning point for the Kolkata giant this season,

The goalscorer shows no signs of tiring. He is flying into tackles and pressing up front with as much intensity as he did in the first half. Six minutes added on. Six minutes for BFC to get something out of this game.

Despite holding a slender lead, East Bengal is pushing men forward. The passing has been crisp up front and it had the right man in the right spot to punish BFC for its mistake.

Constantine thrives in situations like this and it is not an encouraging fact for Bengaluru. Another cynical foul on Javi Hernandez. This time it is Mahesh and he gets a yellow card.

East Bengal is finding joy in counter attacks. This time it is Kyriacou with the shot, but a flying Prabir Das blocks it.

Despite all the momentum it had built since the restart, BFC is now left to chase the game. Mahesh and Cleiton links up again. Cleiton tries to lob Gurpreet, but it was over hit.

Udanta makes way for Prabir Das, as Grayson looks to make the pressure count. On the other end, Suresh tries to find Gurpreet with a back pass. But it is a weak one and Mahesh gets hold off it and cuts it back for Cleiton Silva and the former BFC man makes no mistake as he taps it in. 1-0 for EB.

It is Javi who releases Roy Krishna and he has a chance to atleast make Kamaljit work. His scuffs his shot wide and that was the best chance of the second half.

Alex Lima’s first impression on the game is to scythe Javi Hernandez down with a not-so-well-timed tackle. The Spaniard is down for a while, but is soon back up.

ALex Lima comes in for Doherty as Constantine looks to get East Bengal back on the front foot. EB is being forced to pump long balls to get out of its half.

BFC has begun the second half the better of the two. Few setpieces and with Roy Krishna running in at tilt and EB is pushed back a bit.

Bengaluru starts the second half and it has two corners to open proceedings. EB defence holds firm to thwart BFC setpieces.

Jhingan with what could be the tackle of tournament to deny Cleiton Silva. The forward was through on goal and was about to shoot, before Jhingan slid into snatch the ball away from him. That was the last major moment of the first half as the referee blows the whistle for break. 0-0 the score, but it is East Bengal who has had the edge.

Corner for EB. Just before it is swung in, the referee blows the whistle after he spotted some clashes inside the box. A chat by the official and the game is back on.

With half-time looming, BFC looking to slow the game down and get into the break without any damage.

Another corner for East Bengal and it is Cleiton Silva at the end of it. He heads it down, but again it is straight at Gurpreet. Constantine must be wondering how his side hasn’t scored yet.

East Bengal piles on the pressure and a freekick is cleared only up to Celiton Silva, whose first time shot is just wide of the post. On the other end, Roy Krishna blazes away a chance after BFC cut through with a counter attack.

Haokip puts Cleiton through, whose cut back appeared to have smashed into Jhingan’s hand. Referee waves away the East Bengal appeals.

BFC wins a freekick from shooting range and it has the luxury of Javi, Chhetri and Krishna. Javi is the one. He strikes it well and gets it over the wall but not under the bar. CHANCE!!!

East Bengal frontline is pressing high and forcing errors out of BFC backline, which is also playing the risky game of playing for offside.

Javi goes on a run and almost finds Chhetri through on goal. But Kamaljit came out flying to parry it out of the way.

Kyriacou unleashes one from range. It is ferocious, but straight at Gurpreet, The intent is clear from Constantine and his men.

Open, incisive football from both sides, which is a shift from their usual cagey football. Shots and crosses are flying around, but nothing has troubled either keeper.

Long ball from Gurpreet. Ivan Gonzalez and Roy Krishna tussles to gain possession. Three different coming togethers and it is the BFC man who wins it in the end.

Both teams start on the front foot. Both sides have a shot, but both not on target. EB’s was deemed offside and BFC’s went wide.

East Bengal sets the ball rolling and we are in for an exciting encounter.

BFC - Gurpreet; Bhutia, Jovanovic, Jhingan, Roshan; Suresh, Bruno, Javi, Udanta; Chhetri, Krishna

EB: Kamaljit; Ankit, Lalchungnunga, Ivan, Jerry, Kyriacou, Jordan, Mahesh, Haokip, Cleiton, Suhair

The last time East Bengal visited the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, things were rather charged. It was the spring of 2017, and the then I-League table-topper handed defending champion Bengaluru FC a crushing 3-1 defeat, masterminded by an erstwhile crowd favourite in the Garden City, Robin Singh.

Five and a half years since, things are more sedate. East Bengal is no longer the force it once was, finishing in the bottom three the past two seasons and currently 10th out of 11 ISL teams. BFC has fared a bit better, with two consecutive mid-table finishes and now eighth. Robin is plying his trade with Bangalore Super Division club Sporting Club Bengaluru.

Friday evening’s encounter can thus help serve a dual purpose – navigating this season’s troubled waters and serving a polite reminder of their erstwhile top-dog status.

Both East Bengal and BFC come into the match having suffered back-to-back defeats. Their styles of play have also not inspired much confidence. Stephen Constantine’s East Bengal plays largely rugged football, with increased focus on counter-attacks and set-pieces.

BFC is still figuring out what works best under Simon Grayson. The on and off presence of creator Javi Hernandez and the total absence of striker Prince Ibara haven’t helped and the side has scored just twice in four games. But a fortnight’s gap since the last match would have helped the Englishman brainstorm.

“It has come at a very good time for us,” Grayson said of the break. “Players have worked very hard on tactical and technical conditioning. We have had a lot of injuries and hopefully a lot more players will now be available.

“We have got a lot of players in the squad who can score goals and get assists. [But] we must have a more positive attitude and more belief in each individual. If you get a one-on-one situation, take somebody on. If you have got half a yard in the box, get a shot off. Do not pass it to someone else. Take more responsibility,” Grayson advised.

Constantine, on the other hand, has harped on his wards’ fighting spirit and will look for an energetic performance at a stadium where they have traditionally found support. There is also forward Cleiton Silva, formerly of BFC, whose wisdom he can tap into. But starters in midfielder Alex Lima and defender Souvik Chakrabarti are mostly out because of injuries.

“Have we been good in all of our games? No, we have not. And I don’t expect that we are going to be in fourth place for 20 ISL games,” said Constantine. “We are new, we are fresh, and we are trying very hard to build the foundation of the future.

“One thing is that the team spirit is very good. Everybody looks after each other. I can’t ask for more. What we can do is make fewer mistakes and try and correct the mistakes,” the former India coach added.

Where will Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal be played?

The Indian Super League fixture between Bengaluru FC and East Bengal will be played at Sree Kanteevara Stadium, Bengaluru.

When is Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal in ISL 2022-23?

The ISL 2022-23 match between Bengaluru FC and East Bengal is scheduled for a 7:30 pm kick-off IST on November 11, 2022.

Where can I watch Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal ISL 2022-23 match?

The ISL 2022-23 match between Bengaluru FC and East Bengal will be aired on the Star Network.

Where can I watch the live streaming of the Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal ISL 2022-23 match?

The ISL fixture – Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal – will be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and JioTV.