Resilient East Bengal makes a stunning comeback in 2-2 thriller against Chennaiyin
Chennaiyin played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with East Bengal in ‘Match 79’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season. A Hira Mondal own goal and a Ninthoi Meetei bullet comprised the Marina Machans’ two goals while Darren Sidoel and Lalrinliana Hnamte were on target for the Red and Golds.
East Bengal head coach Mario Rivera made only one change to the team that suffered a 3-1 defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby, as the injured Ankit Mukherjee made way for Amarjit Singh Kiyam.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin head coach Bozidar Bandovic made five changes to his starting XI. Germanpreet Singh, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Lukasz Gikiewicz, Reagan Singh, and Mirlan Murzaev made way for Ariel Borysiuk, Anirudh Thapa, Nerijus Valskis, Meetei, and Suhail Pasha respectively.
The Red and Golds had a nightmarish start to the match as an own goal handed Bandovic’s men the lead in the second minute. Jerry Lalrinzuala put in a sublime cross from the left flank that found Pasha unmarked, and though he could not get a proper connection on his header, the ball eventually struck Mondal and rolled back into the net.
Rivera’s team could have found an equalizer in the 11th minute when Mohd Sajid Dhot’s calamitous misplaced pass went straight to Marcelo Ribeiro, but the defender instantly redeem himself by deflecting the Brazilian’s shot away from goal.
It turned out to be a costly miss as the Marina Machans doubled their lead only four minutes later, with Mondal making himself the public enemy once again. His misdirected pass was intercepted by Meetei on the left flank, who then beat his marker Wahengbam Luwang with his box of tricks and launched a rocket into the top corner, giving Arindam Bhattacharja no chance in the East Bengal goal.
The Manipuri youngster could have turned provider in the 28th minute when he dribbled past two defenders at once before putting a pass on a platter for Pasha, but he made a hash of his shot. The Red and Golds’ biggest opening of the first half came in the 44th minute when Mahesh Naorem put in a delectable cross for Ribeiro, but the Gil Vicente loanee failed to keep his header on target from a handshaking target.
Rivera’s men looked much better in the second half and appealed for a penalty in the 58th minute when Antonio Perosevic claimed he was brought down inside the box by Narayan Das. However, reviews showed how the Croatian forward put in a theatrical dive.
East Bengal did not have to wait for long for a goal though, as Sidoel scored only three minutes later from a fantastic freekick. The former Ajax midfielder’s peach of a shot left Debjit Majumder helpless in the Chennaiyin goal as it rippled the back of the net.
Darren Sidoel’s goal revived East Bengal’s hopes of a comeback
Sensing danger, Bandovic tried to inject fresh legs by introducing Reagan, Murzaev, and Vanspaul, and the last two players could have restored Chennaiyin’s two-goal lead soon after coming on. Murzaev dribbled past Franjo Prce on the right flank before finding Vanspaul with a pass, but the midfielder failed to connect with the ball.
Just when many would have thought the game will end at 2-1, East Bengal scored the equalizer in additional time. Mahesh’s sublime cross from the corner was met with an equally brilliant header from Hnamte as the ball nestled into the far corner.
With this draw, East Bengal has moved up from last place and is now occupying the tenth position in the standings. They will take on Odisha on Monday while the sixth-placed Chennaiyin will be up against Mumbai City on Sunday.