East Bengal secured a critical victory to climb to the top of CFL 2017 table, after arch rivals MB drew their previous fixture. The hosts made a mediocre start which was worsened when Pathachakra score the first goal of the game. Despite the initial threat, EB pulled back the equalizer well within the first half.
The second half witnessed a lot of turnover in possession and EB needed to be more ruthless in front of goal. Pathachakra put up a comprehensive and overall performance. However, a penalty in the final third of the match came to EB's rescue as Al Amna made no mistake from the spot.
90+2'The visitors get a lifeline with the 5 added minutes and are trying hard to break through EB defense. The hosts, on the other hand, has pulled all their players behind to protect the 1 goal lead.
East Bengal gets a silver lining as the referee blows the whistle for a penalty. Al Amna sets himself behind the ball as the Syrian aims to give EB a much-needed lead.
Samad plays a brilliant square ball into the box to set up a beautiful chance for Surabuddin to give EB the lead, but he sails the ball way past the goal.
82'- The match looks to be heading for a stalemate as EB are on the verge of squandering a chance to take a lead over arch rivals Mohun Bagan who also drew their last match
80'- EB make their final change. Khalid Jamil looking to bring in some experience to give the team some inspiration as Bradon goes out to make way for Cavin Lobo
75'- Mehtab is pushing forward and is getting more involved in attacks as EB look hard for a goal. Tamnoy is also doing a brilliant work on the left flank with constant overlapping to provide support and width to the team.
73'-Lots of possession turnovers with few chances for both the teams. East Bengal will need to be more ruthless if they have to find the winner amidst a stern Pathachakra defense.
69'-A young Pathachkra squad looking to beat the EB defense with pace and swift passes but the hosts prove time and again why they are the defending champions. The visitors are pressing forward frequently from either flanks but no fruitful result as of yet
66'- Pathachakra is trying to break in amidst a stern Bagan defense through aerial balls but the EB defense has stuck to their job throughout the game. Al Amna is coming deep to facilitate the play as the hosts looks to dominate the pace of the game
63'- Jagannath looked to be on the scoresheet yet again with an impeccable short but Barreto does a brilliant job between the sticks to keep the danger at bay
60'- A lightning run from the right flanks put the EB defense out of their comfort zone. However, the danger is dealt with as the look to play on the counter in their pursuit for a second foal
55'- Al Amna sets himself for a free kick from a lucrative region. But the shot takes a deflection and land on the back of the net. Corner for EB. A wild shot from Brandon as the ball sails past the post.
52'- Yellow Card EB's Gurwinder receives the first yellow of the game for a mistimed tackle. The visitors look to capitalize from the set piece but no end preoduct thought
50'- Chance!!! What a passage of play!! A defensive error resulted in three consecutive strides from EB but Subham Roy puts up audacious saves to deny the hosts any goal.
The referee blows the whistle for the half-time. EB was lucky to find the equalizer right before HT and have to be more ruthless in the second half to kill the game. Pathachakra has been creating frequent chances as well and is looking to pose a serious threat. We will be back live with the coverage of this action-packed fixture in 15 minutes. Stay tuned.
45+1'- Goaaaalll!! The hosts are back in the game. Brandon scores right on the brink of half time. Pathachkara keeper fumbles with the ball as Brandon makes a spectacular finish from a very tight angle.
42' Chance!! A beautiful lob to Joby Justin from the center almost got the hosts on the verge of equalizing. But alas, the hosts suffer the same fate yet again.
Pathachakra does the impossible. Jewel takes a brilliant turn outside the box to fool Mehtab and draws Barreto as he lays Jagannath to bury the ball into an empty goal.
37'- EB are dominating possession here but nothing has come in the way of clear cut chances. Either the final balls have been too heavy or the shots too wide.
Snehashsih Chakraborty makes a defense splitting run from the right flanks and hit the gloves of Barreto on the instep. Dinesh Bhagat receives the rebound but sails the ball over the empty goal A golden chance missed by the visitors!!
33'- Pathachakra attackers taking EB defense on a run as a brilliant overlap on the right flank set up a brilliant space for a cross. However, the ball hits an EB defender as it runs out for a corner
31'- Pathachakra goalkeeper Subham Roy goes down in his effort to save a screamer from just outside the box. Looks hurt as the medics rush to the pitch.
27'-All the action here is happening in midfield at the moment with a lot of possession turnovers the feature of the past few minutes. Brandon and Al Amna has been trying to influence things and has managed very few fruitful moments in the game so far
25'-It's been a good battle so far. Pathachakra hasn't let EB play their usual attacking game today.The visitors have been on the attack these past few minutes as EB struggle to keep the ball
20'- The hosts win two consecutive corners but the Pathachakra keeper was not put to work. The danger goes as East Bengal look eagerly to break the deadlock and go forward
19'-' East Bengal is proving relentless in their attack while the visitors are holding a nice shape in the defense to deny the Red and Gold brigade space to go forward
13'- Offside Al Amna chips the ball over the visitors' defense and finds Joby Justin 1 on 1 with the keeper. But the Red and Gold's striker could not time his run to perfection
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That's all for today folks!!