East Bengal FC vs Indian Air Force Match Report | Durand Cup 2024 | Match 4

Match Report: East Bengal FC vs Indian Air Force – Durand Cup 2024 – Group A – Match 4

Full Time: East Bengal FC 3-1 Indian Air Force

Date: July 29, 2024
Location: Durand Cup, Group A
Kick-off Time: 7:00 pm IST

Match Overview

East Bengal FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Indian Air Force FT. Dominating possession and creating numerous chances, East Bengal showcased their attacking prowess and tactical discipline.

Key Moments:

First Half:

East Bengal FC started the match with high intensity, coming close to scoring within the first two minutes as a shot hit the crossbar. Maintaining the pressure, they earned an early corner, but the Indian Air Force FT defense managed to clear the danger.

19′: Naorem Somananda Singh scores for Indian Air Force FT, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by East Bengal FC.

Despite East Bengal’s dominance, it was Indian Air Force FT who struck first. Naorem Somananda Singh capitalized on a defensive lapse to score, giving his team a surprising lead.

43′: Lalhansanga equalizes for East Bengal FC with a beautifully curled shot over the goalkeeper.

East Bengal responded aggressively, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Their efforts paid off just before halftime when Lalhansanga scored with a superbly placed shot, leveling the score at 1-1.

Second Half:

The second half saw East Bengal continue their attacking dominance. Diamantakos made an immediate impact, scoring a brilliant header on his debut to give East Bengal the lead.

61′: Diamantakos scores a header on his debut, giving East Bengal FC the lead.

The partnership between Diamantakos and Crespo proved fruitful, with Crespo later scoring from a well-timed assist by Diamantakos to extend the lead to 3-1.

67′: Crespo extends East Bengal FC’s lead to 3-1, finishing off an assist from Diamantakos.

Indian Air Force FT struggled to regain control and create meaningful opportunities, as East Bengal’s defense held firm. The match ended with East Bengal securing a comfortable victory and three valuable points.

Match Statistics

Possession: East Bengal FC 60% – 40% Indian Air Force
Shots on Target: East Bengal FC 5 – 2 Indian Air Force
Total Shots: East Bengal FC 27 – 3 Indian Air Force
Corners: East Bengal FC 11 – 2 Indian Air Force
Yellow Cards: East Bengal FC 2 – 1 Indian Air Force FT

Detailed Breakdown

First Half:

East Bengal dominated possession from the outset, creating several early chances. Despite their dominance, Indian Air Force FT took the lead against the run of play with a well-executed goal by Naorem Somananda Singh. East Bengal responded with sustained pressure, eventually breaking through just before halftime when Lalhansanga curled a shot over the goalkeeper to equalize.

Second Half:

East Bengal continued to press forward, with Diamantakos heading in from a cross to give them the lead. The team’s attacking chemistry was evident as Crespo and Diamantakos combined effectively, leading to Crespo’s goal which sealed the win. Despite some late attempts by Indian Air Force FT to claw back into the game, East Bengal’s defense remained resolute.

Conclusion

East Bengal FC’s strong performance in their opening match of the Durand Cup 2024 sets a positive tone for their campaign. With a solid 3-1 victory over Indian Air Force FT, they demonstrated both their offensive capabilities and defensive stability. This win not only earned them three points but also highlighted their potential to be strong contenders in the tournament.