9 men East Bengal get off the mark in ISL after holding off Mohammedan

East Bengal earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Mohammedan SC, despite playing most of the match with nine men, securing their first point of the season with a resolute defensive display at the Salt Lake Stadium on November 9.

In Short

• East Bengal played with nine men, securing a 0-0 draw
• Nandha Kumar and Naorem Mahesh were sent off in the first half
• Lalchunglunga won Player of the Match for his defensive brilliance

East Bengal finally opened their account in the 2023-24 Indian Super League with a hard-earned 0-0 draw against their Kolkata derby rivals, Mohammedan SC, on November 9 at the Salt Lake Stadium. This gritty performance, which saw East Bengal finish the match with just nine players on the field, marked their first point of the season and showcased the defensive resolve they had been lacking in previous games.

The match began with both teams launching attacks at a frantic pace, but the dynamics shifted dramatically in the 34th minute. East Bengal forward Nandha Kumar Sekar was sent off with a direct red card, a decision that many believed was a hasty one by the referee. As if that wasn’t enough, just a minute later, East Bengal’s Naorem Mahesh Singh was handed a second yellow card for dissent, following an incident where he kicked a water bottle off the field. With two players sent off, East Bengal had to face the rest of the game with only nine men on the pitch.

Despite the adversity, East Bengal’s defense held strong. Coach Oscar Bruzon, still finding his footing after taking charge earlier in the season, was faced with a monumental task: to guide his side through a match with a numerical disadvantage. However, the players rose to the occasion. Lalchunglunga, who was instrumental in defense, was awarded the Player of the Match, and full-back Mohammed Rakip also put in a standout performance. Their resilience was key in thwarting Mohammedan SC’s attack, preventing them from capitalizing on their numerical advantage.

On the other side, Mohammedan SC, despite being a man up, were unable to break through East Bengal's stubborn defense. The frustration was evident, with players like Alexis Gomez and Mirjalol Kasimov having a heated exchange in the first half. The lack of cohesion in Mohammedan's play was palpable, and they squandered several opportunities to break the deadlock.

In the end, East Bengal’s defensive display was enough to earn them a point, and the Salt Lake Stadium erupted in celebration. They will now turn their focus to their upcoming match against NorthEast United on November 29, while Mohammedan SC will need to regroup quickly before their clash with Bengaluru FC on November 27.