Welcome to Sportstar's highlights of the ISL 2020-21 Bengaluru FC vs SC East Bengal clash.
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That brings us to the end of our ISL coverage for the day. We will be back for tomorrow's double header when Chennaiyin FC, which will be without skipper Rafael Crivellaro , faces bottom-placed Odisha FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim at 5pm [ PREVIEW ].
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The second game of the evening will see Kerala Blasters take on Jamshedpur FC at the Tilak Maidan at 7:30pm [ PREVIEW ].
Until then, you can follow our entire ISL coverage here . Goodnight!
Bengaluru FC coach
Naushad Moosa, on how it was to adjust to Carles Cuadrat's departure: "You wont believe me, but I've had three sleepless nights. It's not been easy for me. It was all of a sudden and we knew what kind of a relationship we shared with Carles. The kind of relationship the whole team shared, not only the coaching staff. It was not easy for us.
I had to really sit with everyone and talk to them individually and they were all really charged up and made me feel comfortable. They really showed that they are professionals and are here to play football.
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It was an unlucky goal to concede but the way we played, I am sure we will bounce back. If you see, even SCEB was also not up to the mark initially and they have improved since their last match. I'm sure we will come back. I am confident that we will win the next match or at least give a positive performance."
[On whether he will continue to play more youngsters]: "I want to rely more on the youth now. The way they are playing - Parag played his first game and was doing well and it was unlucky that he got injured. Then Bhutia and Amay also came on..they were nervous but that's fine. Going ahead, this is what they need - an opportunity. We have 10 more games to come, it's still not over for us. There are a lot of positives to take from today's match.
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SC East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumder : "It was a big win for us and a very motivating one. We worked very hard for this win and it will motivate us to do better. I give my 200 percent in every game and practice session and try to give it my all on the pitch.
SC East Bengal's Bright Enobakhare : I think we did what we needed to win the three points. Basically the coach tells me to enjoy myself and that's what I want. It's a free role for me and he tells me to play anywhere I want.
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Bengaluru FC's Erik Paartalu : It's been a difficult run for us, but I thought tonight was a better performance from BFC. It's been a difficult week but put we put up a better performance tonight. We at BFC take it personally when a coach loses their job, particularly myself and the other players, and we need to take responsibility for that and need to go on the pitch and put up performances and get the results.
Over to the post match presentation now.
SC East Bengal holds on to its one-goal lead to extend its undefeated run to five games and hand Bengaluru FC its fourth straight defeat.
Matti Steinmann was the match-winner as his 20th minute goal, his third of the campaign, earned SC East Bengal its second win of the season.
The result, however, does not affect the points table as SC East Bengal and Bengaluru FC remain ninth and sixth respectively.
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FULL-TIME: SC EAST BENGAL BEATS BENGALURU FC 1-0
90+5' Bheke's long thrown in is cleared away and that is the end of the game!
90+3' Paartalu lets one rip from 40-odd yards out....and it sails into the stands. That pretty much sums up Bengaluru FC's fortunes this evening.
90' Tense moments at the back for SC East Bengal. Three of Bengaluru's players attempted a shot at goal but none of them managed to beat the defensive wall. Five minutes to be added on.
88' That's a poor corner from Dimas. He fails to clear the first man.
88' Set-piece opportunity for Bengaluru! Brown's cross is deflected for a corner by Maghoma.
85' Chance after chance for Bengaluru but none have been converted! Bhutia makes a run down the right and cuts it back for Brown. The Jamaican lays it perfectly for Paartalu, but the strike is defended by SC East Bengal captain Fox.
84' Double change again for Bengaluru: Deshorn Brown and Amay Morajkar come on for Cleiton and Suresh.
81' Oh my, what a scintillating run from Bright! Bengaluru's attack breaks down and the ball is played to Bright on the counter. The Nigerian storms past two defenders and had just the 'keeper to beat, but Gurpreet manages to get the slightest of touches to send it out for a corner.
80' Second change for SC East Bengal as Aaron Holloway comes in for Steinmann.
78' Bright nearly makes it 2-0! Bhutia plays a poor back pass and Bright latches on to it before unleashing a drive that looks destined to find the bottom-corner. Gurpreet is alert to the danger and does well to palm it away.
77' First change for SC East Bengal - Mohammed Rafique comes on for Harmanpreet.
73' What a chance to seal the tie! Maghoma makes a spirited run and his deflected pass finds Harmanpreet at the edge of the box. The 19-year-old's first touch is heavy and he blazes his shot blazes off target.
70' We're down to the last 20 minutes and SC East Bengal seems to be tiring a little. The attacks have dried up over the last quarter of play and Bengaluru FC has been firing on all cylinders. SC East Bengal still holding on to its slender one-goal lead.
67' Naushad Moosa has given two players their first starts - Ajith Kumar and Parag Srivas - and awarded Bhutia his ISL debut. Quite a statement here from the Bengaluru FC interim head coach.
65' Namgyal Bhutia is playing his first-ever ISL game today. What a platform to shine for the BFC academy graduate!
64' Third change of the evening for Bengaluru: Ajith is replaced by Namgyal Bhutia.
62' Top class save from Debjit. Chhetri cuts past a defender, brings the ball to his right and drills a fierce strike. Debjit does extremely well to parry it away for a corner.
58'
Opseth's introduction has added a new dimension to Bengaluru's attack. The Norwegian's creativity and passing ability has been a massive boost so far.
55' Phenomenal start to the second half from Bengaluru FC. The Blues have created chances aplenty and have looked a lot more positive on the ball. SC East Bengal 'keeper Debjit, who had a quiet first half, has been kept busy.
53' Brilliant work from Bengaluru. Opseth plays Cleiton into the box and the Brazilian dodges his way past three defenders before cutting it for Opseth. The Norwegian is a tad too slow and can't get at the end of the cross.
51' Dimas is brought down by Milan and Bengaluru wins a free-kick from 40 yards out. Opseth takes the free-kick and goes for goal, but it's nothing but catching practice for Debjit.
48' What a ferocious strike from Chhetri! He plays a one-two with Paartalu and unleashes a strong shot that is well-saved by Debjit.
47 ' Double change for Bengaluru: Parag and Udanta are replaced by Pratik Chaudhari and Kristian Opseth respectively.
46' KICK OFF! And the second half gets underway..
Matti Steinmann's 20th minute strike sees SC East Bengal hold a 1-0 lead over Bengaluru at the end of the first 45. SC East Bengal has dominated proceedings so far, maintaining the lion's share of possession and finding spaces up front with ease. Ankit and Das have been lethal down their respective flanks, while Bright and Maghoma have excelled in midfield.
Bengaluru has looked far from convincing and has struggled at the back. The attack has also been off colour, with the side unable to find success in the final third. Making matters worse for Bengaluru is the fact that is has three players booked - Ajith, Paartalu and Dimas.
HALF-TIME: SC East Bengal leads 1-0.
45+2' Das is back on his feet but Parag has been stretchered off.
45+2' Ouch! Parag, eyes on the ball, absolutely clatters into head first into Das. Both players are getting medical attention.
45' A terrific set-piece routine from Bengaluru....looked promising but it doesn't amount to much. Two minutes to be added on.
42' Excellent move from Bengaluru! Parag's looping cross the right is padded into the centre of the box by Chhetri, but Neville is there to deal with it.
40' Looks like Paartalu wants Maghoma's jersey? Rather strangely, the Australian yanks on Maghoma's jersey for a full seven seconds before being shown a yellow card. Not sure what exactly Paartalu was complaining about there...that's a booking on any given day.
37' Chhetri is released down the right with a lovely long ball. The Bengaluru FC captain crosses it into the box but Ankit clears the danger. Corner to Bengaluru.
33' Paartalu fires a low powerful drive from distance and Debjit is up to the task. The SC East Bengal 'keeper has made the most saves this season - 29.
30' Half an hour in and SC East Bengal looks the better side. Bengaluru FC's defence has looked very jumpy at the back and hasn't quite been able to contain SC East Bengal's free-flowing attacking play. Adding to its woes is the fact that Ajith and Dimas have already been booked.
28' Another great move from SC East Bengal as Harmanpreet has a chance in the box but he can't get at the end of the cross.
26' What a great chance for Das! Bright plays a sublime diagonal ball to release Ankit down the right. Ankit cuts it back in the centre of the box but Das, caught off balance, can't get the desired connection.
24' Bengaluru struggling to get a touch on the ball now. SC East Bengal is dominating possession and is moving the ball around with ease.
21' Second booking in as many minutes for Bengaluru as Dimas catches Bright in the face with his trailing elbow and goes into the ref's book.
20' STEINMANN PUTS SC EAST BENGAL AHEAD! Ajith makes the initial error as Ankit storms into the box on the right and launches it to the other flank. Das receives it well and drills a low cross that is converted stylishly by Steinmann with the outside of his boot. This is the German's third goal of the season.
20' First booking of the game - Ajith brings down Bright and picks up a yellow card.
18' Ankit floats in a cross from the right and Gurpreet plucks it out with a one-handed save.
15' How did that not go in!?! Parag fires a long throw in and Cleiton arrives a tad late and nods it on goal but his header bounces just above the crossbar.
12'
Good stuff from Parag. The 23-year-old shows some wily footwork to sneak into the box and fire a low cross that takes a deflection off Fox and Juanan before finding the side netting.
9' Maghoma seems to be in a bit of a spot here. He vies for the ball with Parag and appears to roll his ankle on his way down.
7' Bheke misses the tackle and it's a great opening for SCEB. Das races down the left before stinging Gurpreet's gloves with a fiery strike. First corner of the game.
5' Gaikwad launches one of his famous long throw-in and Fox meets it, but the skipper's header is off target.
4' Bengaluru FC has two new faces in its defence today - Parag and Ajith. Both youngsters are making their first ISL start today.
1' Chhetri attempts a lob into the box but it's an easy save for Debjit. First shot on target for the designated home side.
1' KICK-OFF! SC East Bengal attacks from left to right.
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7:27pm: The players are out in the middle. Bengaluru FC in its traditional blues, while SC East Bengal dons its white away kits.
7:25pm: Both the clubs will have their assistant managers on the touchline today. While Naushad Moosa has been named the interim coach for Bengaluru, SC East Bengal's Robbie Fowler has been suspended and will watch the game from the stands. His deputy Tony Grant will call the shots on the pitch.
7:15pm: How Fox's red card was overturned, the AIFF explains: “The (disciplinary) committee was convinced that Fox’s sending off after his sliding tackle on FC Goa’s Alexander Romario Jesuraj was ‘an error apparent on the part of the referee and calls for rectifying the same in the interests of fair play’ and necessitated overturning of the red card and the subsequent 1-match ban."
7:10pm: From Carles Cuadtrat's departure to what's working right at Mumbai City FC, our correspondents Aashin Prasad and Shyam Vasudevan talk all things ISL in our latest episode of the Full Time Show podcast. Listen in:
7pm:
Bengaluru FC and SC East Bengal, who have had many a memorable encounter in the I-League, will be facing each other for the first time in the ISL today. Here are some key stats ahead of the clash:
6:50pm: Naushad Moosa makes four changes in his first game as Bengaluru FC interim head coach. Erik Paartalu is back in the XI after serving out a one-match ban, while Udanta Singh also makes a comeback to the starting line-up.
Two changes in defence as Parag Srivas replaces Pratik Chaudhari, while Ajith Kumar makes his first ISL start to come in for the suspended Harmanjot Khabra.
IN : Erik Paartalu, Udanta Singh, Parag Srivas and Ajith Kumar| OUT : Pratik Chaudhari, Harmanjot Khabra, Deshorn Brown and Kristian Opseth.
6:40pm: Just the one change for SC East Bengal as Jacques Maghoma returns to the starting XI in place of Aaron Ammadi-Holloway. As expected, skipper Daniel Fox has made the XI after his red card was overturned. SCEB's latest signing Bright Enobakhare, who scored a sublime goal in his last game, gets his second start.
IN : Jacques Maghoma | OUT : Aaron Ammadi-Holloway
6:30pm: Team news
Bengaluru FC XI : Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Parag Srivas, Ajith Kumar, Juanan, Rahul Bheke; Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Suresh Wangjam; Clieton Silva, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh.
SC East Bengal: Debjit Majumder (GK), Scott Neville, Daniel Fox, Narayan Das, Raju Gaikwad; Ankit Mukherjee, Matti Steinmann, Jacques Maghoma, Milan Singh; Harmanpreet Singh, Bright Enobakhare.
6:15pm: Bengaluru will need to shore up its defence today. The former champion conceded only 13 times in 18 league-stage matches last year, but has already let in 12 in just nine games thus far. This is the most goals it has conceded with the same number of games played since it joined the ISL.
Further highlighting its defensive frailties is the fact that the club hasn't managed a clean sheet in its last six games.
6pm: In a massive boost to SC East Bengal, skipper Daniel Fox's red card from the match against FC Goa was overturned and will be available for selection today .
Here's how we think the two sides could line up:
Bengaluru FC predicted XI (4-3-3)
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Rahul Bheke, Pratik Chaudhari, Juanan, Harmanjot Khabra; Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Suresh Wangjam; Cleiton Silva, Kristian Opseth, Sunil Chhetri
SC East Bengal predicted XI (3-5-2)
Debjit Majumder; Scott Neville, Raju Gaikwad, Daniel Fox; Ankit Mukherjee, Mohammed Rafique, Haobam Singh, Matti Steinmann, Bikash Jairu; Jacques Maghoma, Bright Enobakhare.
5:45 pm: Bengaluru FC will look to snap a three-match winless run when it takes on SC East Bengal in the ISL on Saturday. Here's the match preview from our correspondent N. Sudarshan:
Bengaluru interim coach Moosa determined to beat SC East Bengal
Bengaluru FC’s interim coach Naushad Moosa has promised “entertaining football” as the club looks to turn over a new leaf in the post-Carles Cuadrat era that begins on Saturday against SC East Bengal. The 2018-19 champion has won just three out of nine matches this campaign, lost the last three and has played a lumbering style of football, all of which contributed to Cuadrat’s exit.
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“It has not been an easy situation,” said Moosa on Friday. “But we are professionals and players are over it. This is the first time in the club's history that we have lost three games in a row. It is tough to digest. All players want to bounce back. I assure you that you will see more positive and aggressive football.”
The side has thus far looked unimaginative in open play, something Moosa said he has already started addressing. “We are working on getting the strikers to score. We felt we were falling short of numbers in the attacking zone. We need more players in the final third. We have not created enough opportunities. We will look to do it.”
This season, BFC has been beset by an additional problem too. Where it conceded only 13 times in 18 league-stage matches last year, it has already let in 12 in just nine games thus far. Fran Gonzalez, who was signed to replace defensive mainstay Albert Serran, has started just two out of nine matches. The side has also missed Ashique Kuruniyan’s dynamism and discipline.
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ALSO READ | AIFF committee overturns Danny Fox red card
“For sure we will be playing more entertaining football, [but] we have to be compact when we lose the ball. We have been conceding more and our aim is to not let in early goals. The thing is, we don't want to bring in too many changes. After losing three games, there is pressure. I am trying to keep the players relaxed.”
Personally for Moosa, who earlier worked with the BFC B-team and then became Cuadrat’s assistant, it has been a tremendous jump in responsibility. “To be honest, I had two sleepless nights,” he admitted. “It is not easy. The expectations at BFC are high. But now it has sunk in. I had a good first session and players were willing to work for me. There was nothing different from what they gave Carles.”
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“Even Carles… I was with him until midnight yesterday [Thursday]. It is not like we have just broken off. He is a gentleman and we were discussing various players, situations and how things are. It is a great boost.”
BFC’s contest against East Bengal at the Fatorda Stadium comes at a time when the Kolkata giant has seen an uptick in form. It is unbeaten in four games and also notched up its first win in the ISL, against Odisha FC, last Sunday. But the focus on Saturday will be on the other dug out, something that East Bengal coach Robbie Fowler, who has been under a relentless media gaze, won’t be complaining about.
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Follow Sportstar's full coverage (Latest news, Interviews, Features, Points table, Quiz, Videos) of ISL 2020-21 .
The seventh edition of the Indian Super League got underway inside a bio-bubble in Goa on November 20.
The tournament, spanning over four months, will see 11 teams play each other in a league and playoff format across three venues. Following the inclusion of SC East Bengal, this season will feature 115 games, up from 95 last season.
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