Cleiton and Mahesh heroics guide East Bengal FC To Their Third Hero ISL 2022-23 Victory
It was a night filled with celebrations, joy and euphoria for the East Bengal FC fans at Jamshedpur’s JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday (November 27). A brace from skipper Cleiton Silva and another goal from V.P. Suhair powered East Bengal FC to their third victory in the current edition of the Hero Indian Super League. EBFC’s Manipur winger Naorem Mahesh Singh provided the assists for all the three goals, thereby becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat in Hero ISL history.
East Bengal FC were in the driving seat from the outset. A brilliant assist from Naorem Mahesh Singh was converted into a goal with a diving header by V.P. Suhair in the second minute of the contest.
JFC kept pushing for an equaliser, but the Red & Gold defenders managed to thwart them in the early exchanges.
In the 26th minute, Mahesh dashed from the left and put in an inch-perfect cross for Cleiton, who guided the ball into the back of the net with utmost finesse.
Jamshedpur FC soon crawled back into the game after the referee declared a penalty. Lalchungnunga’s elbow hit Harry Sawyer’s eye and the referee was just about a few yards away from the scene of action. VP Suhair was shown a yellow card in the process. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored the penalty for the Men of Steel and the scoreline read 2-1 at half-time.
The second half was equally exhilarating as both teams continued their quest for goals. East Bengal FC custodian Kamaljit Singh brought out his A-game as he made four saves in the game.
In the 58th minute, Cleiton scored his second goal of the night after Mahesh made a good run on the left flank and executed a perfect grounded pass to the skipper. With that goal, Cleiton became the top-scorer in the current Hero ISL season with five goals. Mahesh rules the roost in terms of assists so far this season.
Addressing the media after the win, EBFC Head Coach Stephen Constantine said, “We were expecting a very tough game from Jamshedpur FC. We controlled the second balls for most of the time, and that gave us the opportunity to play the way we can. If you look at the games we have won and when we play well for 90 minutes, we are a difficult team to beat, and the boys were absolutely fantastic tonight!”
The Red & Gold Brigade next lock horns with Hyderabad FC on December 9, 2022 at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad.
East Bengal FC were in the driving seat from the outset. A brilliant assist from Naorem Mahesh Singh was converted into a goal with a diving header by V.P. Suhair in the second minute of the contest.
JFC kept pushing for an equaliser, but the Red & Gold defenders managed to thwart them in the early exchanges.
In the 26th minute, Mahesh dashed from the left and put in an inch-perfect cross for Cleiton, who guided the ball into the back of the net with utmost finesse.
Jamshedpur FC soon crawled back into the game after the referee declared a penalty. Lalchungnunga’s elbow hit Harry Sawyer’s eye and the referee was just about a few yards away from the scene of action. VP Suhair was shown a yellow card in the process. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored the penalty for the Men of Steel and the scoreline read 2-1 at half-time.
The second half was equally exhilarating as both teams continued their quest for goals. East Bengal FC custodian Kamaljit Singh brought out his A-game as he made four saves in the game.
In the 58th minute, Cleiton scored his second goal of the night after Mahesh made a good run on the left flank and executed a perfect grounded pass to the skipper. With that goal, Cleiton became the top-scorer in the current Hero ISL season with five goals. Mahesh rules the roost in terms of assists so far this season.
Addressing the media after the win, EBFC Head Coach Stephen Constantine said, “We were expecting a very tough game from Jamshedpur FC. We controlled the second balls for most of the time, and that gave us the opportunity to play the way we can. If you look at the games we have won and when we play well for 90 minutes, we are a difficult team to beat, and the boys were absolutely fantastic tonight!”
The Red & Gold Brigade next lock horns with Hyderabad FC on December 9, 2022 at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad.