Recap
A game of Blows, Blunders and Blues…
SC East Bengal suffered their second consecutive defeat of the season in the hands of Mumbai City FC at GMC stadium, Bambolin. After the defeat against the city rival ATKMB the red and gold faithfuls expected a gritty comeback from the team but they were presented a drab and lackluster performance. Considering the midfield strength of Mumbai it was expected that the gaffer will field an experienced duo in the central midfield but he inexplicably fielded Angousana who was a bundle of nerves from the go. As a result Mattie Steinmann got isolated and was heavily outnumbered. To make matters worse Danny fox got injured very early I the game and had to be replaced. Here again one would have expected a like for like change yet the coach brought Md Rafique instead making Surchandra the right back. These two things totally unsettled East Bengal defense and we had to pay a heavy price for it.
Mumbai City FC drew first blood from counter attack. Surchandra was beaten in pace by Hugo Boumas and he unselfishly passed to le Fondre who had just a empty net to tap in. Throughout the first half Mumbai dominated the proceedings but somehow failed to increase the scoreline.
Second Half:
From the beginning of the second half Mumbai showed that they meant business and pounced on the hapless Red and Gold defense. They soon got their chance, again from a counter. Jahouh delivered an inch perfect ball to Hugo Boumas, the eventual man of the match, who tried to dribble pass Debjit and got caught in the custodian’s outstretched hands and won a penalty. Though the pass was good and the run also but why three East Bengal defenders, all quite experienced, stood in parallel line and that too with a gap that would allow a train to pass is quite inexplicable. At this level of football one should expect the defenders at least to do the basics right.
The rest was as they say just a formality.
Conclusion:
One thing can be said in conclusion that it was expected that SCEB may not be at their best this season given the amount of time they got to pick a team and prepare so a defeat was anticipated. What was unexpected was the manner of the surrender. The team looked not only clueless but also very lacking in passion and will. The set pieces were clumsy, the passes indecisive, the defending tentative. Unless they pull up their socks and put some hearts into their work Mr. Fowler or the people in the management may have to make a few tough calls very soon.
