Kolkata: FC Goa defeated the legendary Indian side East Bengal 2-1 at the latter’s home stadium, Salt Lake. The Torch Bearers are now in the bottom position of the table winning two losses in two games.
Brandon Fernandez lifted the cross from Alvaro Vasques over Kamaljit to start the account for the Gaurs in the seventh minute. The resilient Brandon Fernandez thwarted the East Bengal defense multiple times. He and the Gaurs sprinted into the East Bengal court attempting another goal. Vasquez, Tlang, and Brandon marched past Passa and his fellow defenders but failed. At half-time, FC Goa led the game by an uncontested goal.
East Bengal attempted more attacks in the second half. They finally build up enough pressure leaving holes in the Gaurs’ defense and offense. Dheeraj finally slipped at the 63rd giving away a penalty to the Torch Bearers. Cleiton Silva did not miss the chance and equalized the game soon enough. The Gaurs who understood their mistake surely woke up from their slumber mistakes and started dangerously. Carlos Pena’s men took on another level of aggressiveness.
Edu Bedia, one of the most respected names in ISL, attempted a free-kick and a final chance to win in the 90+4th minute. He drags the ball past Kamaljit of East Bengal to ensure Goa’s first victory of the season.
Carlos Pena who played the last game of his career for FC Goa returned as their head coach and made sure they won. Stephen Constantine now has a huge task under his belt. If he does not want to end up at the bottom of the table, East Bengal needs to amp up all their four fields, from Goalkeeper to the Forwards. FC Goa climbed the table into the fourth spot behind Chennaiyin while EB remains pointless and last. Will FC Goa finally lift a much-deserved title this year? Will East Bengal and Constantine be another example of “no bite, only bark”
