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So near, yet so far.
The script repeated for East Bengal yet again as they lost the I-League title in the final round, even after beating Gokulam Kerala by 2-1. Chennai City, needing three points to be champion, made no mistake this time. Even after conceding an early goal, they defeated Minerva Punjab by 3-1.
East Bengal won the National Football League three times but have never won the I-League, a title that will forever remain elusive for them. They finished in the second position for the fourth time, most by any team. But this was their best chance, given the fact that they finished only a point behind champions Chennai City.
This could probably end East Bengal’s disappointing journey in the I-League, as they are all set to participate in the Indian Super League from the next season onwards.
In this article, we analyzed three seasons when East Bengal nearly won the title, only to falter at the last stage.
#3 2010-11 season
After three lacklustre seasons, East Bengal finally had finally started the fourth edition of the I-League on a brilliant note, routing Air India 6-1 in their first match.
The Red and Golds have managed to build a decent team that season. They signed prolific goal-scorer Tolgay Ozbey from Australia along with talented midfielder Penn Orji from Nigeria. In the defence, there was certain Uga Okpara who with his tall and large figure, kept the opponent strikers away.
However, after some poor performance under their Belgian manager Phillip De Rider, East Bengal lost their top position and slipped behind. De Rider resigned and immediately East Bengal roped in former Bolton Wanderers player Trevor James Morgan.
Morgan, a coach with a great tactical mind, revived the Red and Golds’ campaign and lifted them up. After 22 matches, East Bengal were sitting on the top, ahead of eventual champions Salgaocar by one point. East Bengal supporters had already started dreaming about their maiden I-League.
However, East Bengal had to suffer successive losses against Goanese sides Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers, which blew up all their hopes. Salgaocar managed to win their last three games to win to conquer their third I-League title.
#2011-12 season
East Bengal almost retained the same team for the next season and added Brazilian Edmilson in their squad to restart in their quest for the I-League. However, their season started in the worst possible way. They have lost their opening match against Churchill Brothers before drawing with United Sports Club.
East Bengal registered their first win against Mumbai FC in their third match. As the season progressed, the Red and Golds were getting their form back. Tolgay Ozbey, the Australian was scoring goals on a regular basis.
Dempo, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers were fighting for the title but Churchill gave up after their successive draws against Hindustan Aeronautics and Sporting Club de Goa.
East Bengal got an advantage after Dempo were held by Mohun Bagan. The two teams had a difference of three points. At that position, East Bengal needed three straight wins, including one against table toppers Dempo and hoped the Goanese side would lose their last match. Neither of these happened though.
Dempo drew with East Bengal in their penultimate match of the campaign and went on win 3-0 against United SC to clinch. Even though East Bengal won their last two matches, they had to finish four points behind the Dempo.
#1 2018-19 season
East Bengal roped in Quess Corp. as their investor before the start of the season. The Red and Golds forced everyone to sit up and take notice when they signed Costa Rican Johnny Acosta, who just played the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
They have started the I-League season in best possible manner, winning away matches against NEROCA and Shillong Lajong, sitting atop the table. However, three successive losses halted their run as they failed to keep their position.
East Bengal revived their campaign when they won both the Kolkata Derbies – their first in I-League – in a span of one month. Chennai City’s poor performance in the last few rounds made East Bengal fans dream of the elusive crown again.
Just when they were approaching the title, East Bengal played out two draws – against Churchill Brothers and Aizawl FC – which blew up all the hopes. They still could’ve won the title if Minerva Punjab had beaten Chennai City in the last match. That didn’t happen as East Bengal finished in the second position, just a point behind winners Chennai City.
