It's all over at the Kanchenjunga stadium as the Khalid Jamal led East Bengal side scripted history by winning the CFL for a record 39th time. With the victory, the Red and Gold's registered their eighth consecutive league win.
MB started the match looking the better team and went ahead, courtesy an own goal from EB's Carlyle Mitchell. Despite the initial threat, EB pulled back the equalizer well within the first half.
The second half witnessed a lot of drama and action. MB went up ahead after winning a penalty but their goal was neutralized as referee Ranjit Bakshi favored a penalty appeal from the Red and Gold's. Al Amna made a calm finish to the bottom of the net as he guided EB to win the coveted title on goal difference.
East Bengal's Gurwinder Singh becomes the only player in history to win eight consecutive CFL titles.
90+2'- A poor foul as Cavin Lobo is tripped in the misfield by Kingsley. Cavin Lobo dribbles past Kingsley but the Bagan defender committed a foul from the back. Free-kick East Bengal. Rafique takes a short free-kick, Lobo attempts a shot at goal but ball goes straight to Shilton.
MB will need to be more cautious in the final minutes
87'- We reach the penultimate minutes of the game. MB will need to score if they have to win the coveted title. Both teams down to 10 men now. 3 minutes of regulation time left as the Mariners look desperately for a goal.
MB captain Kingshuk Debnath goes off after he receives a second yellow for his foul on Surabuddin. The Green and Maroon players lose their calm as they get involved in a scuffle with the match officials.
71'- East Bengal looking dangerous at the moment. Rafique sends a through ball towards Amna but the Syrian failed to keep the ball. Throw in Mohun Bagan
56'- Chullova makes an ambitious attempt from 30 yards out but couldn't keep the shot control. EB will need to be clinical in the final third if they have to find the back of the net.
55'- Handball by Kingshuk Debnath. Set piece for EB from a lucrative region.
Fernandez tries an encore of the first half but puts more power on his delivery as the ball sails out of play.
51'- Wonderful passage of play from MB as they play swift passes in the midfield to create space. The attack yields a corner for the Mariners. Raynier overshoots the corner as the EB defense takes a deep breath.
49'- Chance!!! A screamer from Kamo but the ball sails past the post. Kamo shoots wide from an easy position. Kromah architected the move with a back flick. Kamo was one on one with Barreto but his shot went wide.
Mitchell gets on the book for another wrong reason after being booked with a yellow and gives away a penalty in the process. Mitchell commits a poor tackle as he brings Kamo down in the penalty box.
Referee Ranjit Bakshi blows the whistle as the first half comes to an end. All square as the teams ends the half tied at 1-1. The Mariners were lucky to grab an early lead courtesy an own goal by Carlyle Mitchell. The Green and Maroon army will need to be more ruthless in the second half to kill the game.
The Red and Gold's, on the other hand, has shown great character to pull back the equalizer prior to the half. The Mariners will have more work to do as a draw would ensure the title for their arch-rivals. We will be back live in live action after 15 minutes. Stay tuned.
EB equalize right on the brink of half-time. A wonderful curling delivery from Gabriel Fernandez from the set piece as the ball beats the MB wall to find Chullova on the extreme corner of the box who gently guides it to Ralte. The Mizoram footballer makes a calm finish into an empty net to get EB back into the game.
Shilton De Silva receives a yellow for a poor tackle on Gabriel Fernandez. A set piece from a lucrative region. Can the Red and Gold's find the equalizer before halftime?
34'- MB duo of Kromah and Kamo link up brilliant as they threaten EB with another goal. Kamo lunges a screamer towards goal but Barreto keeps it out. Corner for the Mariners
Nikhil Poojary splurges through the midfield and plays a subtle through to Al Amna. The Syrian goes for goal from a tight angle but finds the hands of Shilton Paul. Khalid Jamil will be expecting his team to convert the chances upfront
30'- We reach the half an hour mark as the Mariners are leading with a one-goal margin. A lot of turnover in possession but both teams need to be more clinical to find the back of the net.
22'- MB is decimating EB with pace with lightning speed counter. Nikhil Kadam splurges through the right flank but Kamo fails to keep the lay off on goal
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