East Bengal held by JCT

Sunday, 11. October 2009 - Pit Ruddy

A much improved display by East Bengal definitely satisfied the red-n-gold supporters but didn't bring smile to their faces as the home team was not able to find the net.

The match ended goalless and after three matches East Bengal have two points while JCT slipped to second position with seven points from equal number of outings.

East Bengal did create chances galore but they must keep in mind that chances doesn't fetch points. If the likes of Baichung, Yakubu Yusif, Syed Rahim Nabi can't put the ball in with the goalkeeper at their mercy than you have nothing to blame. The East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick still tried to find an excuse when he stated, "When footballers with experience of more than 100 matches can't convert open chances then you have to believe that you are only destined."

The football on display by East Bengal was pleasing and effective, to the extent that their opponent JCT didn't find one clear look at the goal. The Mehrajuddin - Govin Singh combine did provide enough stability at the centre of the back four. Riston Rodrigues and Mehtab Hussain kept a close eye on Jagpreet Singh and Penn Orji, so much that the JCT midfield was ineffective for most of the 90 minutes.

East Bengal should have gone ahead in the 6th minute. A combination between Yakubu and Nabi on the left created a gap in the JCT defence. Nabi's through found Baichung in front of goal with only the JCT last line of defence to beat. Baichung's left-footer went past the post much to the dismay of the supporters, Baichung himself and probably anyone present in the ground. Nabi also had a self created try saved by the JCT goalkeeper Karanjit Singh diving full-length to his left. But the easiest chance was wasted by Yakubu Yusif just at the stroke of halftime. A Riston Rodrigues corner was headed back towards the midfield by a JCT defender. Nirmal Chettri intercepted and sent in a overhead lob to find Yakubu in front of the goal. It was a touch-n-go offside to which the assistant referee on the line didn't respond to. Yakubu had all the time in the world but in an effort to make it 100% sure over-dribbled and finally placed out.

Thereafter the JCT players went after the assistant referee Adlex D'Costa for not calling an offside with the referee and fourth official having to come to his rescue, but only after JCT coach Sukhvinder Singh pushed back his players, the situation did calm down, but the referee didn't show any cards.

The second half saw a little lethargic East Bengal. Soumik Dey's injury created a dent on the left-side with Nabi having to fall back to the defence. Young Beikhokei found it difficult to adapt, so the coach was forced to bring on Harmanjot Singh Khabra to replace Nabi as left back and Beikhokei moved onto the right flank. This chance definitely brought more balance to East Bengal's attack and once again opened up the JCT defence. In the 72nd minute Nabi missed what should have been only a goal. Baichung's flick saw the ball travel to the East Bengal captain who had the opponent goalie waiting for the ultimate. In turn Nabi headed weakly in to the hands of Karanjit Singh.

East Bengal's organized football will definitely give some hope off revival to the entire red-n-gold community. But a win would have definitely bolstered the coach and the footballers mentally before they face Mohun Bagan in the next match on October 25.

JCT meanwhile return with four points from two matches from Kolkata. A great start for the Phagwara Millmen who surely will like to keep the momentum going in the coming matches at home in Ludhiana.

Click here for MATCH STATS.

Give your opinion on this match (and anything else) in our ALL NEW IndianFootball.Com Discussion Forum 1st Division I-League Section