Madih Talal’s brilliant display threw East Bengal out of the Play-off race in the ongoing ISL as Punjab FC recorded a humiliating 4-1 victory against the Kolkata giants at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday. 

Chenniyin FC ensured a berth in the playoffs as the sixth team in the League table. East Bengal finished in the seventh position with 24 points in 22 matches while Punjab FC also finished with the same points. 

East Bengal’s Spanish coach Carles Cuadrat in a post-match reaction to the ISL broadcaster held the footballers’ ‘tiredness’ mainly responsible for the humiliation. He said, “We had to play on 5th and 7th before playing today. The footballers are exhausted and today that was the reflection of their tiredness. Still, we obtained opportunities. But I should not blame our inexperienced junior footballers who delivered their best but due to immaturity failed to convert." 

Cuadrat also revealed that looking forward to the next season he has started working out to build up a solid team comprising some of the quality and experienced footballers.

William Jordan broke the deadlock in the 19th minute while Sayan Banerjee equalized the scoreline in the 25th minute. But then Punjab FC, under the leader of Talal toyed with their fancied opposition. 

Talal, naturally chosen player of the match completed his 10 assists in the ongoing ISL. Even he alone tore East Bengal’s weak and disorganized defensive organization with his solo runs down the flanks. Jordan struck a double while Talal and Luca Majcen scored the winners.