East Bengal SC couldn't overcome a resilient FC Goa side as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Fatorda Stadium on Thursday. Despite an impressive debut by Venezuelan forward Richard Celis, the Red and Gold Brigade struggled to capitalise on key moments, leaving them searching for points in the Indian Super League (ISL).

The decisive moment came early in the 13th minute when Brison Deuben Fernandes found the net with precision, giving FC Goa an early advantage. East Bengal pushed hard for an equaliser, with Celis displaying flair and energy on his first appearance. He combined well with Harmanpreet Singh and Suhair VP, creating several opportunities, but Goa’s defence, led by a composed Dheeraj Singh under the bar, held firm.

The drama intensified in the dying moments of the match when East Bengal’s striker Arbnor Sadiku was shown a red card in stoppage time (90+3'), ending hopes of a late comeback. Celis’s debut was a bright spot for East Bengal, but the team lacked the clinical edge to unlock Goa’s compact defence.

East Bengal's fans will take solace in Celis’s promising performance as they look ahead to their next fixture, eager to see him combine his skill and determination to lead the team to much-needed victories. Meanwhile, FC Goa’s three points solidified their position as a strong contender in the ISL standings.