ISL 2022-23: East Bengal FC are set to rekindle rivalry with Bengaluru FC
East Bengal FC will take on Bengaluru FC in their sixth Hero Indian Super League 2022/23 fixture at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium on November 11, Friday. The match is slated to kick-start from 7:30 PM (IST). The enthralling rivalry between the two sides dates back to the pre-Hero ISL days when they used to meet each other quite often across the I-League, the Federation Cup and the Super Cup.
Both EBFC and BFC would be desperate to make up for lost ground on the points table. The Red & Gold Brigade currently occupy the tenth spot, having won just one of their five matches so far. The Blues, meanwhile, are just one point ahead after four outings.
In their previous encounter against Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat. The Red & Gold Brigade created multiple chances throughout the game, but couldn’t convert any. Vafa Hakhamaneshi’s 69th minute strike eventually helped the Marina Machans register their first victory against East Bengal. EBFC defender Sarthak Golui received his marching orders in that game and will be unavailable on Friday.
Addressing the media ahead of the game against Bengaluru FC, EBFC Head Coach Stephen Constantine said, “I believe in East Bengal’s potential”. His inspiring words would certainly inject ample confidence into the players’ mindset and gameplay.
“But I came because I believed in East Bengal. I believe in the potential. I believe in Emami. I believe we can be great again. But we have a lot of work to do and it doesn’t happen overnight. We are going to give them the success that they want, but they need to give us the support and time,” the former Indian National Team Head Coach added.
The match will also see Constantine go up against his former pupils Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Udanta Singh, who constitute BFC’s core.
Both EBFC and BFC would be desperate to make up for lost ground on the points table. The Red & Gold Brigade currently occupy the tenth spot, having won just one of their five matches so far. The Blues, meanwhile, are just one point ahead after four outings.
In their previous encounter against Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat. The Red & Gold Brigade created multiple chances throughout the game, but couldn’t convert any. Vafa Hakhamaneshi’s 69th minute strike eventually helped the Marina Machans register their first victory against East Bengal. EBFC defender Sarthak Golui received his marching orders in that game and will be unavailable on Friday.
Addressing the media ahead of the game against Bengaluru FC, EBFC Head Coach Stephen Constantine said, “I believe in East Bengal’s potential”. His inspiring words would certainly inject ample confidence into the players’ mindset and gameplay.
“But I came because I believed in East Bengal. I believe in the potential. I believe in Emami. I believe we can be great again. But we have a lot of work to do and it doesn’t happen overnight. We are going to give them the success that they want, but they need to give us the support and time,” the former Indian National Team Head Coach added.
The match will also see Constantine go up against his former pupils Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Udanta Singh, who constitute BFC’s core.
East Bengal FC lead the head-to-head record
Across all their meetings so far, East Bengal lead the head-to-head record against the Blues. In 14 matches so far, East Bengal FC have bagged 7 wins, while Bengaluru FC have managed to notch up 6 wins. Only 1 game ended in a draw. However, in the Hero ISL, the Blues hold a 2-1 lead against the Red & Gold Brigade.
The away fixture against BFC would also mark the 100th Hero ISL appearance of EBFC fullback Jerry Lalrinzuala.
The away fixture against BFC would also mark the 100th Hero ISL appearance of EBFC fullback Jerry Lalrinzuala.