East Bengal beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-2 in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) to take the bragging rights of a thrilling Kolkata Derby on Saturday at the Kalyani stadium. The jubilant fans already started celebrating at the stadium, burning paper to mimic moshals (torches), the club’s symbol and emblem. In the thrilling encounter in front of a full-house at Kalyani Stadium on the day, East Bengal, exhibiting supremacy for most of the first 45 minutes, were leading by two goals.
Especially, the first half was painted in Red and Gold. Two goals, one in the 9th minute by Jesin TK and the next one in the extra-time of the first half by Sayan Banerjee, saw East Bengal comfortable over its arch-rival. First-teamers Suhail Bhat and Kiyan Nassiri have not been able to show their expertise and experience with the East Bengal backline being marshalled by a resolute Provat Lakra. But Mohun Bagan Super Giants bounced back after the break when Leewan Castanha reduced the margin in the 55th minute. The ball was floated in from the corner, Dippendu jumped the highest to set it down for a free Castanha, who then smacked the ball and sent it between the legs and into the back of the net.
Then the match, as it progressed, became intensified with MBSG posing a threat to their opposition. Kiyan Nassiri celebrated his return to MBSG after a season, leveling the scoreline with a beautiful flick off Castanha’s assist inside the box. David finally helped the red-and-gold brigade secure the last laugh with the winner in the 69th minute. Aman CK put in a perfect cross from the right, and an unmarked David just had to head the ball into the back of the net to get East Bengal ahead in the match. He took off his jersey in celebration and naturally saw a yellow card.
