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East Bengal finally get their Federation Cup campaign underway with a 2-0 win over Chennai City. The Red and Golds were lent a helping hand by Robin Singh, who netted a brace. A crucial win for East Bengal ahead of their key clash against Aizawl on Thursday.
89' Didika tries one from way out, but his shot goes high and wide. East Bengal are enjoying themselves on the pitch now. Should this 2-0 scoreline be the full-time result, Chennai City's Federation Cup hopes will rest on Churchill Brothers beating Aizawl later today.
84' We are six minutes plus stoppage time away from full time as East Bengal have all but sealed this game. They are now looking to run the clock down.
81' Robin's two goals have surely led to Chennai City shoulders dropping. The minnows gave a commendable account of themselves in the 2nd half before Robin's penalty took the wind out of their sails.
Plaza runs clear on the right flank before crossing for Robin, whose downward header is somehow kept out by Karanjit. East Bengal are beginning to create chances now.
70' The game is being slowed down here by Lobo's injury, which seems minor. East Bengal are slowly gaining more control as Chennai City show signs of tiring.
65' Nandhakumar and Abhishek Das have worked a treat as a partnership down the right-hand side. Another piece of interplay between the two finds Das in a crossing position, but the ball goes out of play. The resulting corner is headed over the bar by Ravanan.
Plaza has shooting space but the striker's fierce shot is straight at Karanjit, who gets his hands on the effort on goal. First clear-cut chance there for East Bengal in the 2nd half.
61' East Bengal finally look to have some semblance of control in the 2nd half as they keep possession for a sustained period for the first time this half.
Lalnummawia's effort at curling one in from a pretty central area goes wide. Chennai have East Bengal rattled here as they go full throttle for an equaliser.
52' East Bengal are stuttering here as Gurwinder brings down Charles to earn a booking. Chennai City look primed to score here from the resulting free-kick but Debabrata Roy's fine effort hits the post. East Bengal survive!
46' Early chance in the 2nd half for Chennai here as Lalnunmawia gets a shot away after being put clear by a fine pass from Nandhakumar. The forward's shot is a weak one but Subhasish can't keep it in play and concedes a corner.
East Bengal have just edged this first half and that is reflected in the scoreline. The Red and Golds had a golden chance to double their lead when Plaza rounded Karanjit but the Trinidadian missed an open goal. That keeps Chennai City in the hunt for the second half, which starts in a few minutes.
45' Robin Singh scores the opener after a defensive mistake by Chennai left Karanjit with no chance. The India international slots the ball into an empty goal.
35' Could it be trouble for the already booked Mehtab? The East Bengal midfielder brings Soosairaj down but he stays on for now. With more than 60 minutes left, Mehtab can't afford to slack off again.
31' Both teams have passed the ball well before they reach the final 3rd. East Bengal are being guilty of seeking Robin far too frequently, while Chennai have time and again lost the ball against the rock-solid East Bengal defence.
25' There has been barely any inventiveness in the game so far with both teams playing the percentage game. Chennai are happy to sit back and defend whereas East Bengal haven't looked at their sharpest. The heat is seemingly unbearable here as both teams take a water break.
21' Chennai hit on the counter with Charles but the striker fails to get past the towering Bukenya in East Bengal's defence. The Red and Golds have had it fairly easy in defence so far, but they will be cautious this time out, having conceded a late equaliser to Churchill Brothers last time out.
Plaza shows off some bit of trickery to create a shooting chance for himself but his left-footed attempt is deflected behind for a corner. The corner is cleared away by Caldeira.
16' It looks as though Chennai City won't allow East Bengal many chances to score here. The onus is on the Red and Golds here to break past the so far resolute Chennai defence.
