With today’s victory, East Bengal clinched the much-needed 3 points to climb to the top of CFL 2017 table on goal differences. EB established their dominion right from the start as they dictated the pace of the game. A wonderful header from Wilis Plaza gave the hosts a lead in the first half. The second half was all about EB toying with the Tollygunge defense. A comprehensive and overall performance added by Willis Plaza’s hattrick helped seal a comfortable victory for the Red and Gold Brigade. The win will provide a much-needed confidence to the EB camp ahead of the mega Kolkata derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan on 24th September
Agragami, on the other hand, will have work to do as they go back and try to figure out what went wrong.
Poor tackle on Joby Justin by Gautam Khujur. Khujur loses his calm and gets into a confrontation with Cavin Lobo. Receives his second yellow as TA is reduced to 10 men in the final minutes
86'- Chance for Tollygunge. Nabin Hela follows a through ball inside the box but before he could reach, Tanmoy shielded brillianlty and made sure that the ball went wide.
What a spectacular show of football. Laldanmawia Ralteque finally gets on the scoresheet after being close to scoring several times. A wonderful flick from the header by Ralte as the ball hits the post to glide into the net
75'- Heera makes an inside cut on the left plank and play Bawar who releases a through to the forward. Gurwinder Singh shields and keeps the danger away
Ralte finds himself in front of the goal again. Surabuddin sent a brilliant through ball towards Ralte who once again missed the chance to score from a one on one situation. Hits the side netting
65'- Chance Ralte times his run brilliantly to beat the offside trap and gets one on one with the keeper. TA keeper Sourav does good to make a dive on the right side to prevent his team from embarrassment.
64'- Substitution EB is more or less confident of a win as Khalid Jamil is evidently saving players for next week's Kolkata derby. Surabuddin Mullick comes on as Al Amna gets substituted
Wilis Plaza has justified his selection to the team. An absolute poacher who knows exactly where to be. Puts the ball in the net with ease to complete his hat-trick
East Bengal played several passes in the middle of the pitch before Al Amna sends a through ball towards Chullova on the left side. Chullova cuts in brilliantly inside the box and passes it to Plaza who just had to push the ball into the net.
57'- Chance for Tollygunge. Vashum enters the box from the right side and sends a diagonal pass but none of his teammates were in position. The ball goes out.
Amazing display of skill as Wilis Plaza gets on the scoresheet to give EB a cushion to their lead. Dribbles past 3 defenders inside the box and makes a crisp finish to corner of the net
The referee blows the whistle for half-time. EB has established their dominion right from the start of the game. TA looked good initially but has since been losing the momentum. The visitors will need to be more clinical in the final third to give a challenge to EB. The hosts, on the other hand, will come down in the second half as a more confident team and aim to find another quick goal to cushion the lead and put TA out of the equation.
We will be back live with the coverage of this action-packed fixture in 15 minutes. Stay tuned.
41' Nikhil Poojary has been really impactful for the host. His sudden outburst of pace is troubling the TA defense. EB doesn't look desperate for another goal to cushion the lead and is mostly playing possession
37'- Baretto haven't been tested yet. The visitors will need to create more chances on goal if they aim to stop the Kolkata giants. No real sign of threat yet
33'- The Red and Gold Brigade are dominating possession and the pace of the game. The midfielders are coming deep and the game looks evenly poised for the hosts
Wilis Plaza was looking to get on the scoresheet again. Amna sends a brilliant forward ball to Plaza and a sudden outburst of speed finds the Trinidadian one on one with the keeper. Hits right to the hands of the keeper. Danger averted!!
26'- Gooaaaaal!! Wilis Plaza score right at the end of the minute from the corner. Plaza takes a soaring leap to convert the corner and give EB a much-needed lead
23'- -It's been a good battle so far. TA 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
21'-Tollygunge's Goutam Khujur suffered an injury while trying to head in Bowar's free-kick. EB trying to play through aerial balls to break the Tollygunje defense.
