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Federation Cup: Bhaichung Scores Winner For Ten-Man East Bengal To Set-Up Semis Clash With Mohun Bagan
The Indian captain came off the bench to score a late winner
27-Dec-2009 5:02:54 PM
East Bengal will take on Mohun Bagan in the semi finals of the Federation Cup for the third consecutive edition thanks to Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia who came off the bench to score a late winner against JCT in a Group A encounter at Silchar on Sunday afternoon.
The red and gold brigade played majority of the game with ten men as midfielder Harmanjot Khabra was sent off after seeing two yellow cards in the first half.
JCT’s India under-23 international Balwant Singh had the first real chance of the game when he found himself in space just outside the 18 yard box but the striker’s shot went over the bar for a goal kick.
Eight minutes into the game referee P.Bhaskar dished out the first yellow card to East Bengal midfielder Harmanjot Khabra.
Three minutes later, the Kolkata outfit nearly took the lead when Yakubu brilliantly setup Saumik Dey but the latter could only force a corner off JCT custodian Karanajit Singh.
The pace of the game then slowed down a bit with both teams giving away silly freekicks which hampered the flow of the match.
In the 25th minute there was a big moment in the game as Harmanjot Khabra was sent off after getting booked for the second time following another clumsy challenge.
JCT tried to make the most of their numerical advantage but it was East Bengal’s veteran forward Yakubu who was asking all the questions.
The Ghanaian was repeatedly fouled by the side from Ludhiana which was infuriating him and the rest of the East Bengal team.
Phillipe De Ridder’s side were seeing a lot of the ball but were unable to make any openings with ten men.
Just before the halftime whistle, Abhra Mondal had to make a fine save to deny Penn Orji as both teams went into the break all square.
Both teams were intent on getting that elusive goal early in the second half but neither really looked like doing the same.
JCT were lacking belief to go out on an all out attack despite having the numerical edge while East Bengal were relying too heavily on Yakubu as the rest of the team looked short on ideas.
The first goal mouth action of the second period took place in the 57th minute when Baldeep sent in a teasing cross into the box from the right flank but Sakatar Singh couldn’t hit the target from it.
A few minutes later Yakubu had a little give and go with Alvito before going on a solo run into the JCT half. He did well to go past a couple of defenders but in the end got outnumbered as none of his teammates followed.
The crowd in Silchar were chanting Bhaichung Bhutia’s name all match even though he was sitting on the bench. Their prayers were finally answered when De Ridder brought the Sikkimese Sniper on to replace Alvito in the 75th minute.
Seven minutes into his introduction, the Indian captain broke the deadlock after capitalizing on some slack defending by JCT.
This was Bhaichung’s first goal since his return to the red and gold brigade after controversially leaving arch rivals Mohun Bagan in the summer.
East Bengal could have conceded immediately as Jaswinder connected well with his volley but Abhra Mondal dived well to make a spectacular save.
That was JCT’s last opportunity to score as East Bengal held on for another narrow win to setup a derby date with arch rivals Mohun Bagan in the second semi final on Thursday.
The evening game of this group between Viva Kerala and Salgaocar will now be inconsequential.
Goalscorers: Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal) 82’
Amoy Ghoshal
For more on Federation Cup, please visit our Federation Cup section!
The red and gold brigade played majority of the game with ten men as midfielder Harmanjot Khabra was sent off after seeing two yellow cards in the first half.
JCT’s India under-23 international Balwant Singh had the first real chance of the game when he found himself in space just outside the 18 yard box but the striker’s shot went over the bar for a goal kick.
Eight minutes into the game referee P.Bhaskar dished out the first yellow card to East Bengal midfielder Harmanjot Khabra.
Three minutes later, the Kolkata outfit nearly took the lead when Yakubu brilliantly setup Saumik Dey but the latter could only force a corner off JCT custodian Karanajit Singh.
The pace of the game then slowed down a bit with both teams giving away silly freekicks which hampered the flow of the match.
In the 25th minute there was a big moment in the game as Harmanjot Khabra was sent off after getting booked for the second time following another clumsy challenge.
JCT tried to make the most of their numerical advantage but it was East Bengal’s veteran forward Yakubu who was asking all the questions.
The Ghanaian was repeatedly fouled by the side from Ludhiana which was infuriating him and the rest of the East Bengal team.
Phillipe De Ridder’s side were seeing a lot of the ball but were unable to make any openings with ten men.
Just before the halftime whistle, Abhra Mondal had to make a fine save to deny Penn Orji as both teams went into the break all square.
Both teams were intent on getting that elusive goal early in the second half but neither really looked like doing the same.
JCT were lacking belief to go out on an all out attack despite having the numerical edge while East Bengal were relying too heavily on Yakubu as the rest of the team looked short on ideas.
The first goal mouth action of the second period took place in the 57th minute when Baldeep sent in a teasing cross into the box from the right flank but Sakatar Singh couldn’t hit the target from it.
A few minutes later Yakubu had a little give and go with Alvito before going on a solo run into the JCT half. He did well to go past a couple of defenders but in the end got outnumbered as none of his teammates followed.
The crowd in Silchar were chanting Bhaichung Bhutia’s name all match even though he was sitting on the bench. Their prayers were finally answered when De Ridder brought the Sikkimese Sniper on to replace Alvito in the 75th minute.
Seven minutes into his introduction, the Indian captain broke the deadlock after capitalizing on some slack defending by JCT.
This was Bhaichung’s first goal since his return to the red and gold brigade after controversially leaving arch rivals Mohun Bagan in the summer.
East Bengal could have conceded immediately as Jaswinder connected well with his volley but Abhra Mondal dived well to make a spectacular save.
That was JCT’s last opportunity to score as East Bengal held on for another narrow win to setup a derby date with arch rivals Mohun Bagan in the second semi final on Thursday.
The evening game of this group between Viva Kerala and Salgaocar will now be inconsequential.
Goalscorers: Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal) 82’
Amoy Ghoshal
For more on Federation Cup, please visit our Federation Cup section!
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