Analysis by Suparno Chakraborty
Both East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC came into this match with paramount pressure already upon them and it was to see how they respond to the occasion in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.
East Bengal FC started the game in a positive note as they made their intentions clear by pushing more men forward in search of goals. While Bengaluru FC also tried to put more men forward but their inability to use the middle corridor due to lack of players who can carry the ball forward denied them to do so. Xavi Hernandez was the only one on the pitch who possess the ability to carry the ball forward but he was left alone as neither Ramirez nor Suresh was able to provide him the much needed support play. Sunil was completely off colour which made it easy for the EBFC defenders to hold onto him. Roy Krishna on a number of occasions was able to break the red and gold defence but failed to hit the target.
For EBFC if one player has to be mentioned who single handedly changed the fate of the game then it has to be Naorem Mahesh Singh. Naorem’s presence both on and off the ball is a treasure and EBFC should use him judiciously. Jordan and Kyriacou were pretty average throughout the game while Ivan for the first time in the red and gold colours showed signs of quality defending although was beaten twice but Krishna’s inability to hit the target saved the day for EBFC. Naorem’s sublime run and laying the ball off to Cleiton in the second half demanded nothing but to net it in and the later did not fail this time. EBFC could have scored another one if Cleiton was fast enough to pull the trigger but taking advantage of his slowness Jhingan thwarted the threat.
Overall a good game for East Bengal FC to get back to the winning ways but there are still problems a plenty for them and they will have to find answers to those or else things will again start falling off for them.
For Bengaluru FC it’s high time they pull up their socks and try to plug in the gaps to sort their issues with the axis of the team.
Cleiton Silva for his only goal in the game was adjudged with Hero of the Match award.
East Bengal FC:
Kamaljit Singh (GK), Ivan Gonzalez, Lalchungnunga, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ankit Mukherjee, Charis Kyriakou, Jordan O’Doherty (Alex Lima 55′), Naorem Singh, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Cleiton Silva (C), Suhair Vadakkepeedika (Himanshu Jangra 83′).
Bengaluru FC:
Gurpreet Sandhu (GK), Sandesh Jhingan, Aleksandar Jovanovic (Harmanpreet Singh 86′), Namgyal Bhutia (Parag Shrivas 65′), Roshan Naorem (Leon Augustine 74′), Bruno Silva, Suresh Wangjam (Danish Farooq 74′), Javier Hernandez, Sunil Chhetri (C), Udanta Singh (Prabir Das 65′), Roy Krishna.
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal FC Twitter
