East Bengal vs Aizawl FC HIGHLIGHTS: Super Cup 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: On April 17, 2023, East Bengal FC lost to Aizawl FC 2-2 in a Group B match at the Payyanad stadium, sending them out of the Hero Super Cup. The Red and Golds took the lead thanks to goals from Naorem Mahesh Singh and Sumeet Passi, but two goals from Aizawl FC’s David in short succession eliminated the Kolkata club from the competition. Follow Indian Super League and Indian Super Cup 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
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East Bengal FC Head Coach Stephen Constantine, made several changes to the starting XI, no doubt in an attempt to rack up a much needed big win in their final group game. Sumeet Passi, Tuhin Das, Charalambos Kyriacou were all named on the team sheet for East Bengal.
Recently minted India international, Naorem Mahesh Singh, was the driving force of East Bengal’s attack for the majority of the match and it was him who found the opener in the 17th minute. Brilliantly played through by Cleiton Silva, Mahesh cut inside the box before crossing the ball to the centre of the area.
FULL-TIME! With that draw, East Bengal have now been ruled out of the running for the semi-final spots!
EB 2️⃣-2️⃣ AFC
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— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) April 17, 2023
His cross caught a wicked deflection though, ending up in the Aizawl goal. Moments later, midfielder Mobashir Rahman had a golden opportunity to extend the lead. He received a loose ball just outside the edge of the box but ended up shooting over the crossbar.
East Bengal vs Aizawl FC HIGHLIGHTS: East Bengal GIVE UP two-goal lead to settle for draw against Aizawl, CRASH out of Super Cup 2023 – Check Highlights
One way traffic continued. Five minutes after the opener, East Bengal had doubled their lead. From a VP Suhair cross, Sumeet Passi rose highest to head it into an empty net after Aizawl FC goalkeeper Vanlalhriatpuia got his angles wrong in an attempt to punch the ball clear. At the time, a rout looked in the offing, Constantine’s side not just dominant on the ball, but menacing and adventurous with it too.
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Right before halftime though reality struck, when Aizawl pulled one back against the run of play. Defender Akito Saito ran upfield before releasing a through pass to David Lalhlansanga. David made the most of the pass and took a shot from a narrow angle. Kamaljit saved the initial attempt but the rebound fell straight to Lalhruaitluanga, who kept his composure to pull one back.
If that wasn’t enough, minutes after the restart Aizawl drew level, David the architect, the artist and the magician conjuring up the equaliser. Japanese defender Akito Saito’s long ball into the East Bengal penalty box was cleared neatly by Kamaljit.
East Bengal vs Aizawl FC HIGHLIGHTS: East Bengal GIVE UP two-goal lead to settle for draw against Aizawl, CRASH out of Super Cup 2023 – Check Highlights
The keeper had rushed off his line to kick the ball clear, and ensure Aizawl didn’t run through, but his clearance fell straight to David 40 yards from goal. The forward took his shot and it sailed in, to the astonishment of almost everyone in the stadium.
East Bengal never really recovered from the setback and failed to create a clear cut chance in the second half. The result meant East Bengal were knocked out without registering a single win in the competition. Aizawl meanwhile got their first point, much deserved for all the grit they have shown in the tournament.
East Bengal XI:
Kamaljit Singh; Athul Unnikrishnan, Lalchungnunga, Charalampos Kyriakou, Jerry Lalrinzuala; Jordan O’Doherty, Mobashir Rahman; VP Suhair, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Jake Jervis, and Cleiton Silva.
Aizawl FC XI:
Vanlalhriatpuia, Lalmalsawma, Lalmuanawma, Lalchhawnkima, Lalbiakzuala, Akito Saito, Eisuke Mohri, K Lalrinfela, David Lalhlansanga, Ramsanga, Ivan Veras.
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