A convincing 3-1 win in the Kolkata Derby has all but sealed East Bengal’s spot in the semi finals of the Kalinga Super Cup. The Red and Gold brigade will lock horns with Jamshedpur FC in the knockouts. A wonderful display from skipper Cleiton Silva helped East Bengal take the bragging rights over their arch rivals.
The dynamics of the group were fairly simple. Both the sides had 6 points form 2 games and with equal goal difference (+2). But it was East Bengal who needed a win as they scored more goals. On the other hand, Mohun Bagan needed a win at all costs to make their way into the semis.
Group A Standings in Kalinga Super Cup 2024
Srl | Team | MP | W | D | L | Pts |
1 | East Bengal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
2 | Mohun Bagan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
3 | Sreenidi Deccan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
4 | Hyderabad FC | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
The winners of all 4 groups face each other in the semi finals. With Jamshedpur FC already into the next stage they will face the Kolkata based outfits. It will be an exciting clash for Khalid Jamil who is set to face his former side.
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Highlights
The game started off well with both sides attacking with serious intent. Armando Sadiku found the ball inside the net within 4 minutes but was ruled away from an offside. Hector Yuste with a clever back heel flick gave the lead to the Mariners from a Dimi Petratos corner.
Five minutes later, Cleiton Silva muscled past a couple of strikers to take a thunderous strike and restored parity for East Bengal. In the dying minutes of the first half, Mohun Bagan was awarded a penalty. Petratos scored but Bounous encroached the spot kick by advancing inside the D.
The ref asked for a re-take and this time Petratos went for the power which hit the crossbar. Back in the second half, past the hour mark, Ravi Bamadur Rana made a blunder by giving the ball to Borja just outside the box. The Spaniard went for curler which hit the bar and Nandhakumar tapped it home giving East Bengal a 2-1 lead.
At the 80th minute mark, East Bengal attacked and Mohun Bagan goalie Arsh Anwar spilled the ball right in front of Cleiton Silva who tapped in from 2 yards distance to score his brace and seal the tie for the Red and Gold Brigade.