SC East Bengal players celebrate a goal against FC Goa in ISL 2021-22.
Highlight
- The first win of the season helps SCEB rise from the bottom up.
- Gaur is at the ninth position in the points table.
- FC Goa will take on Bengaluru FC in their next match at the Athletic Stadium on Sunday.
SC East Bengal took 347 days to end their winless run in the Indian Super League as the Red and Gold Brigade dented FC Goa’s semi-final hopes with a 2-1 win at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday.
The first win of the season helps SCEB rise from the bottom while the Gaurs are placed ninth in the table.
For SCEB, Mahesh Naurem Singh (9′) scored early against the run-off until Alberto Noguera (37′) equalized the score. Naurem Singh (42′) completed his brace after a gift from the opposition defender remained the gap between the teams.
Despite dominating possession, FC Goa suffered a setback in the opening round when an unforced error from Edu Bedia caught Anwar Ali off-guard. Mahesh Naurem Singh took advantage of the situation, tosses the ball, and overtook the goalkeeper, moving from a face-to-face position to score the opener.
Before the half-hour mark, Gaur’s captain fed Alexander Jesuraj with a penetrating through ball, but he wasted his opportunity to equalize by broadcasting the shot over the crossbar.
Darren Sidoel took a shot from a distance after the drinks break but his effort went off the mark. FCG eventually equalized after Jorge Ortiz delivered a defence-splitting pass to Alberto Noguera, who found a place inside the box and beat Arindam Bhattacharja with his left foot from a narrow angle.
Three minutes before halftime, Naorem Singh again gave SCEB the lead after Anwar Ali gifted the ball inside his box. Although the striker’s effort hit the bar and came out, the assistant referee awarded the goal as the ball crossed the goal line.
In the second half, FCG looked for another equalizer. However, there were not many chances for Gaur to score. The Red and Gold brigades were defending in numbers, denying the opposition attackers any space.
The fourth officer added seven minutes of extra time after the regulation period. Mario Rivera’s men kept their lead with a collective effort to register an elusive first win of the season.
FC Goa will take on Bengaluru FC at the Athletic Stadium on Sunday while SC East Bengal will face a tough challenge from Hyderabad FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Monday.
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