Talal-Dimi duo’s goal leads to East Bengal’s first win in ISL 2024-25

Talal-Dimi duo’s goal leads to East Bengal’s first win in ISL 2024-25: After getting the first point in ISL against Mohammedan SC in the Kolkata Derby, East Bengal were back in action at their home ground, this time looking to win all three points. Under Oscar Bruzon, the team’s mentality has changed and it was evident in the last game when they held on to Mohammedan SC for a goalless draw, playing with 9 men for over an hour.

The winning mentality was being displayed by them from the very beginning of the game. Jeakson’s cross at the 40th second was shot by Vishnu but Gurmeet Singh got his hands on it. Madih Talal’s free kick was on target but was again saved by Gurmeet. It was looking like the home side will score at any moment.

At the 12th minute, Bemammer made a long pass for Jithin. He himself was fooled by his false but the ball went to Gogoi, who had an open goal in front of him. Before he could go for the shot, Anwar Ali flicked the ball back and East Bengal was out of danger. Within a minute, Alaaeddine’s strike was just outside the target.

East Bengal had a chance when Vishnu cut inside the box. Instead of passing he went for a shot and Gurmeet made another save. Jeakson Singh in the rebound made a cross and Vishnu’s header from that went to Gurmeet’s hands, before Diamanatakos could reach the ball.

Just when confident Gurmeet was looking impossible to beat, the Talal-Dimi duo broke the deadlock. Talal’s corner was cleared by Alaaeddine at the near post but East Bengal kept possession. Diamantakos took the shot, but was blocked. The rebounded ball went to Talal on the left flank. He saw the Greek forward making a run and so he perfectly executed a cross and Diamantakos made no mistake in heading the ball in.

At the 35th minute, Lalchungnunga was booked when he stopped Jithin with a bad challenge. Within a moment, Samte made cross for Alaaeddine inside the box. His header struck the post and the and his shot on the rebound went outside for a goal-kick in favor of the home side. Diamanatakos had a chance to score a brace when the Highlanders’ defense made a misake. The Greek forward snatched the ball but failed to keep it in play. On the other side Gill was also saving the shots.

At the end moments of the 4th quarter, NorthEast United FC equalised the goal but it was ruled out because Alaaeddine fouled Anwar Ali prior to the goal. Alaaeddine almost scored again, but his shot outside the box was just above the cross piece, again.

At the 68th minute, Vishnu was fouled outside the box. A fight broke out and Bemammer was involved heavily and he was booked. Within 4 minutes, he fouled Vishnu again and he was sent off by the referee, giving East Bengal a numerical advantage. But East Bengal failed to utilize the advantage and they were also down to 10 men at the 87th minute, when Lalcjungnunga was sent off for fouling Macarton.

Highlanders made one dangerous attack at the last seconds of the game, but Hector Yuste calmly defended it followed by Talal clearing the ball. And with that, the referee blew the full time whistle. East Bengal FC got their first win of the ISL.

When the supporters were asked before the game about their opinion, all of them had one point in common. East Bengal somehow had to stop Alaaeddine. That did happen. Before the East Bengal and Punjab FC game, the Moroccan was in a streak. He was contributing at least one goal every game since the Durand Cup. The streak was ended by Punjab FC and East Bengal continued it.

East Bengal will now travel to Chennai to take on Chenneiyin FC on December 7th. We will have to see if the Red and Golds can continue with this momentum and grab the first three points in an away game in ISL 2024-25.