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A nail-biting match ended in a 2-2 scoreline at Barasat Stadium in Kolkata where league leaders Minerva Punjab FC and third-placed East Bengal FC share points in an encounter of I-League.
The high voltage match was precious for East Bengal to stay on the track for the title race, and a draw in home ground may be a glimmer of hope for the red and golds as Minerva FC took the lead in the first half but cannot hold the score against the Kolkata giants at the end of the game.
The match begins in favor of the home team East Bengal, where they started winning possession as well as earned few corners and free-kick, but defender Sukhdev Singh put the visitors ahead in twenty minutes from a shot after a rebound. A one-goal lead within twenty minutes of the game put the home team under pressure as William Opoku and Chencho made some eye-catching performance. The second goal came from the Bhutanese winger Chencho Gyeltshen who finish it calmly in thirty-three minutes and gave the visitors a two-goal lead. East Bengal was trailing by two goals and it seems the title was going away from the home team. The first forty-five minutes ended in a two-goal lead for the team from Punjab.
The second half begins where the home team looks confident and started putting pressure as a result, a golden opportunity came for the supporters and the team, when Laldanmawia goes down after a tackle in the box, hence East Bengal team won a penalty, but the joy didn't last long as Minerva's new signing Kiran Chemjong made an outstanding save taken by Katsumi Yusa; East Bengal was enjoying a healthy possession but did not find the mouth of the goal.
In fifty-nine minutes, a smooth head by Joby Justin from laldanmawia's corner earns the home team one goal. The red and gold gained some oxygen and started putting pressure on Minerva Punjab FC. East Bengal created lots of chances, but Minerva's defense was strong enough to clear the balls. Substitution happened to both the teams at the end of the eighty minutes when Chencho Gyeltshen comes off for Abhishek Ambedkar, on the other hand, Cavin Lobo comes off for Brandon Vanlalremdika.
In eighty-nine minute, substitute Brandon Vanlalremdika made the equalizer for the home team after a rebound from Katsumi Yusa; the supporters are on their feet again and East Bengal FC regains their confidence in order to put another. The game ended in a draw after a lot of tensed moments in the second half and the competition saw a breathtaking comeback made by East Bengal FC. Katsumi Yusa must be biting his hand for missing that penalty.
New signing Kiran Chemjong awarded the Hero of the match award for his eye-catching performance. Chencho Gyeltshen is the second highest goal scorer with 6 goals and behind Dipanda Dicka right now. Minerva Punjab FC is the second highest goal scoring team with 16 goals in their pocket till now in the competition. Minerva Punjab FC remains in the top position of the table with 26 points from 11 games and East Bengal FC secured 20 points from 12 games and sitting in the third position.
