KOLKATA: East Bengal FC came from two goals behind to beat Punjab FC by 4-2 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
This match marked the first instance that East Bengal FC emerged victorious in an ISL match after trailing by two or more goals. The Red and Gold Brigade thus secured their maiden ISL win against Punjab FC, after drawing and losing once in their two previous meetings.
Punjab FC grabbed the first advantage in the game with a cohesive team effort that first saw Nihal Sudheesh and Ezequiel Vidal play a quick passing sequence on the right flank. Vidal then curled in a cross on the far post for Asmir Suljic, who rushed to get his foot at the end of the delivery and netted it into the high centre of the goal in the 21st minute.
Vidal then delivered a piece of individual brilliance in the 39th minute to double Punjab FC’s lead going into the half-time break.
East Bengal FC, however, began pressing for opportunities from the very beginning, and first cut the deficit in the 46th minute. Cleiton Silva delivered a looping free-kick from the right flank that defender Hijazi Maher met with his head and slotted it on the top left corner amid a crowded Punjab FC box.
Then, in the 54th minute, Mohammed Rakip delivered a cross inside the box. Substitute Vishnu Puthiya was quick to lap upon it and nestle it to the top left corner following a deflection to restore parity.
East Bengal FC rode on this wave of momentum to exert pressure on the Punjab FC backline and an own goal by Suresh gave East Bengal the lead.
Lhungdim was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 64th minute and the East Bengal instantly capitalised on this numerical advantage ti see David Lalhlansanga scoring the fourth goal.’
East Bengal FC will next play Jamshedpur FC on December 21, whereas Punjab FC will be squaring off against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on December 26.
(Courtesy: ISL Media Team)
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