East Bengal FC’s winless run in the Indian Super League continued as they were beaten 2-0 by NorthEast United FC. The Highlanders scored twice after the hour mark to sink the Red and Gold Brigade – who had Antonio Perosevic sent off late on.
NorthEast United met East Bengal at the Fatorda in a game between the season’s strugglers; the pair occupied the bottom two spots in the table ahead of the fixture. However, the Highlanders emerged victorious on the night, beating their opponents by two goals to nil, thanks to a couple of second-half strikes.
The two sides were locked in a closely-contested battle in the first half but, lacking that lethal finishing touch, neither could take advantage. As a result, the initial period saw a lot of half-chances, easy for the respective goalkeepers to collect.
However, EB nearly poked their heads in front as the half came to a close, capitalizing on an error by NorthEast United custodian Mirshad Michu, who had survived a scare earlier on the night as well. A loose clearance by Michu fell eventually to Antonio Perosevic, but the forward was quickly closed down by the goalkeeper. In the same phase of play, the ball found its way to Daniel Chukwu, who somehow managed to miss the target completely from close range with just Michu to beat.
NorthEast United weathered the late first-half onslaught and came out of the blocks racing after the interval. Khassa Camara, Mathias Coureur, and VP Suhair tested their luck from distance in quick succession, but to no avail.
Nonetheless, the Highlanders grew in confidence and were rewarded for it in the 60th minute when Suhair converted Laldanmawia Ralte’s cut-back across the box at the back post. Minutes later, Khalid Jamil’s men doubled their lead through Patrick Flottmann as the defender headed in a well-worked set-piece from close range.
As if things weren’t already looking gloomy for East Bengal, they then had Perosevic sent off for a needless offense in the second-half stoppage time. The forward body-checked Camara, but unhappy with the referee’s whistle, barged into the latter and was subsequently given his marching orders. The Red and Gold Brigade finished the game two goals behind and a man lighter – and remained winless in the competition.
