I-League 2017: East Bengal vs Aizawl FC, Talking Points

Just when it was looking like East Bengal were tearing away with the game, they pulled one back. And when it was being thought that East Bengal were inching home and dry, they dint their hopes with a dink. They are Aizawl FC and their might was as big as their hopes were high.

East Bengal fans might feel disappointed with the result but they shouldn't be - their team truly presented their supporters with a great game - be it a 2-2 scoreline at FT.

In fact, they should be happy about the real result. Coming two days after a soporific ISL opener in the city, the scorecard screams in jubilation.

Now let us take a look at the 5 talking points form this match:

A minute's of silence for Mr. Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi with ex-FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.

It was perhaps inevitable, but even then the gesture was a beautiful one. Union Minister, West Bengal Congress’ former president, and senior Congress leader, he may be but his heart forever did and forever would beat for football.

Critically ill over the last couple of months, he entered into the coma on October 12, 2008 after suffering a stroke. And on November 20, 2017, at the age of 72, he ultimately succumbed to his ailment.

He was the one to bring in a professional approach to Indian football in the capacity of the president of All India Football Federation. It was he who was instrumental in instituting the National Football League in 1996 that eventually gave the Indian clubs a semi-professional taste of the system. It was one of his biggest contributions. Incidentally, he also served as a match commissioner in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It was indeed nice to see a beautiful man given a beautiful, though quaint, remembrance on the football field prior to the ‘commencement’ of the I-league season in Calcutta.

East Bengal all the way from the second half whistle

East Bengal dominated proceedings in the second half. (Photo: I-League)

It was a high-tempo match with box-to-box play in the first 20 minutes. It just whizzed past in the blink of an eye. Even then, East Bengal had made their attacking intentions only too clear, with a feisty Wilis Plaza coming close to draw the opening salvo – in the 7th and the 13th-minute mark and Brandon coming close in the 18th minute.

Thereafter the match seemed to totter but EB caught it by the scruff at the 35th minute. But still no goal was in sight. One struck the woodwork. Post half-time EB came with al guns blazing and had the 65th-minute goal to show for the collective efforts of Katsumi Yusa, Mahmoud Al Amna, Willis Plaza and Brandon Vanlalremdika. Whatever be the end result, EB really presented its fans with a blood-rising game.

Good defending, decent attacking and great ending by Aizawl

Aizawlput out an all-round display. (Photo: I-League)

Though the encounter was going on par in the initial 20 minutes, the defence held steady. And the midfield could plan some sporadic attacks to deflect the pressure from their opponents.

One may fault EB for not playing a more pressing game but all credit to the Mizo team as they were able to hang on. Somehow after the second half started, they seemed to have gotten lost in the game and after the two goals, they looked like they were out of steam.

They might be missing some of their top players who made them a champions last season, but they dug their heels to get one back and stuck on till the end, and didn’t fail to covert an opportunity.

Avilash Paul – the safe pair of hands

Avilash Paul (L) (Photo: I-League)

Katsumi Yusa may have surprisingly won the ‘Hero of the match’ ahead of Plaza and Al Amna, but the custodian under the AFC bar was no less a contender. His greatest moment came in the 64th minute, when if EB would have scored they would have really run away with the game.

The second goal that the Aizawl keeper conceded was a freak attempt. Because of his steady nature, Aizawl could play a high-line in a bid to restore parity to the game. His saves also gave the team their timely breathers. He got into action right from the 13th minute and was gainfully employed right until the end. He might be a contender for the golden gloves solely based on this game.

Great refereeing made an even greater game

Santosh Kumar (C)

Santosh Kumar Bhaaskaran Muringothumalil has a long name and even longer reputation to be calm and neutral under trying condition. Another referee would perhaps have pointed to the penalty spot on the 53rd minute of this game, but not him.

Not a single decision was out of line for this Kerala-born, once an auto-rickshaw driver. Inducted in 2012 as one of the four official referees by the AIFF, Kumar’s first game in such a capacity was between Sporting Goa and East Bengal.