'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending champions East Bengal Club had their opening encounter in the Calcutta Premier Division – Super 12 against Kalighat Milan Sangha abandoned after 76 minutes due to fading lights at the East Bengal ground on the Kolkata Maidans. At the time the red-and-gold were leading 4-1.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, East Bengal made the most of the extremely slushy conditions which further deteriorated due to continuous drizzle over the course of the match which lead to the abandonment by referee Pranjal Banerjee.
An own goal by Kalighat MS defender Mohan Sarkar gave East Bengal a 3rd minute lead. Seasoned Alvito D’Cunha, who started on the left flank, converted a penalty in the 14th minute before new recruit Joaquim Abramches opened his account with a peach of a goal in the 30th minute of a pass by Alvito D’Cunha before winger Reisangmi Vashum scored the fourth of a pass from Naoba Singh in the 43rd minute. East Bengal took an impressive 4-0 lead into the break.
Kalighat Milan Sangha, no pushovers as such as a 2nd Division I-League side, reduced the deficit in the 57th minute through an Arijit Bagui goal. Then came the 76th minute in which referee in consultation with macth commissioner Pradip Nag decided to abandon the match due to poor light.
Interesting to note is that East Bengal’s coach and players had requested the match to be played at the Saltlake Stadium to prepare for the clubs upcoming AFC Cup quarterfinals, while a late 4pm kickoff in monsoon conditions can only lead to what happened this afternoon.
MATCH STATS
East Bengal Club 4-1 (4-0) Kalighat Milan Sangha (match abandoned) – Goals:
East Bengal ClubAbhijit Mondal – Thokchom Naoba Singh [C], Gurwinder Singh, Saumik Dey, Robert Lalthalmuana – Reisangmi Vashum, Cavin Lobo, Subodh Kumar, Alvito D’Cunha (53′ Lalrindika Ralte) – Baljit Singh Sahni (56′ James Moga), Joaquim Abranches (62′ Ryuji Sueoka)
Kalighat Milan SsanghaSuvam Sen – Supriya Bhakat [C], Charles Dzisah, Mohan Sarkar, Abhijit Mazumdar, Kallol Pal, Zodinliana, Pahun Biswas, Arijit Bagui, Joel Sunday, Bhim Oraon
RefereePranjal Banerjee
