Durand Cup 2023: A determined Bangladesh Army holds 10-man East Bengal to a 2-2 draw

In a group A encounter in the 132nd Durand Cup on Sunday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, East Bengal were held to a 2-2 draw by Bangladesh Army.

Sahariar Emon and Meraj Pradhan’s late goals offset goals by Javier Siverio and Saul Crespo from the first half.

East Bengal played a very tenacious opening. Saul Crespo sent a defense-splitting ball from the center line to Naorem Mahesh on the left wing as early as the fifth minute. He whipped in a cross, but the referee ruled Javier Siverio’s attempt to convert the ball into the goal unlawful. On his way to the goal, Siverio handled the ball.

When compared to their performance against Mohun Bagan in their tournament opener, which they lost 0-5, Bangladesh Army seemed to be significantly more aggressive.

Carles Cuadrat opted to switch his wingers since the Bangladeshi defense was adept at intercepting any wayward ball that came their way. Nandhakumar Sekar benefited from playing on the left.

Nishu Kumar was knocked to the ground in the 32nd minute, causing the referee to signal to the spot. After two minutes and a disagreement, Crespo went up to convert the penalty shot into the left corner of the goal.

With only the goalkeeper to beat in the 37th minute, Siverio slid in 16-year-old Guite Vanlalpeka, but he was unable to score.

In the last seconds of the first half, a strong header from Siverio on a cross from the right by Harnmanjot Khabra gave East Bengal a two-goal advantage.

East Bengal renewed their onslaught immediately after the resumption. Mahesh was able to elude his defender in the 59th minute as Siverio’s pass was just missed.

The majority of East Bengal’s challenges were not very skillful, but in the 67th minute, Nishu Kumar lost his cool and managed to elbow an opponent near the halfway point. The fourth official informed the referee of the offense after receiving a protest from the Bangladesh Army squad, who then handed the East Bengal defender his marching orders.

East Bengal dug in to repel the Bangladesh Army’s attempts to take advantage of the personnel advantage.

up to minute 88.

With a fantastic left-footed shot that curled past Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and into the bottom corner, Md Sahariar Emon pounced on a loose ball that was being bounced about the East Bengal defense.

After 90 seconds of extra time, East Bengal lost once again.

In the East Bengal penalty area, Sahariar chased down a long clearing from the goalkeeper and ultimately forced a mistake from Khabra. The ball dropped to Meraj Pradhan after being transferred to Md Mamun Mollah, whose effort was stopped by Gill in goal. Gill initially blocked his attempt as well, but it was ultimately turned in to tie the game.