East Bengal FC secured their spot in the Kalinga Super Cup final, clinching a 2-0 victory over Jamshedpur FC on Wednesday, January 24. The Red and Gold Brigade’s triumph, featuring goals from Hijazi Maher and Javier Siverio in each half, marked their advancement to the final, their second of the season.
Entering the clash with positive momentum, East Bengal had previously sealed a memorable 3-1 win against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG, earning them a place in the final four. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC qualified for the semi-finals after triumphant encounters against Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC.
In the early stages, both teams displayed intent, but it was Jamshedpur FC that created more promising opportunities, enjoying dominance facilitated by Jeremy Manzorro’s midfield prowess. Despite several half-chances, the Red Miners couldn’t find the elusive final touch in the initial quarter. East Bengal, however, capitalized on their first set-piece chance in the 20th minute. Cleiton Silva’s well-placed corner met Saul Crespo, who selflessly set up Hijazi Maher for a simple tap-in, opening the scoring.
Undeterred, Jamshedpur FC pressed on and nearly levelled the score around the half-hour mark. Thongkhosiem Haokip’s clever play set up Rei Tachikawa, but Prabhsukhan Gill’s acrobatic save denied the equalizer. Despite continued threats from Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal remained dangerous on the counter. In the closing moments of the first half, PV Vishnu’s long-range attempt tested Rehenesh TP, but the goalkeeper’s fingertip save thwarted East Bengal’s quest for a second goal.
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As the halftime whistle blew, both East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC had experienced their fair share of opportunities, but it was East Bengal’s clinical finishing that ultimately tilted the balance in their favor. Returning to the field after the break with revitalized energy, East Bengal’s precision in front of goal persisted. Just two minutes into the second half, Nishu Kumar exploited space on the left flank, delivering a precisely driven cross met by Javier Siverio’s well-timed run. The Spaniard calmly slotted the ball into the net, doubling the lead for the Kolkata giants.
Following the second goal, the Red and Gold Brigade asserted control over the game, showcasing the trademark resilience associated with a Carles Cuadrat-led team. The absence of a striking presence upfront for Jamshedpur FC, due to Steve Ambri’s first-half injury and subsequent substitution, left them vulnerable. Despite the Red Miners’ possession dominance, committing players forward exposed them at the back, a weakness that East Bengal skilfully exploited.
In the penultimate minutes of regulation time, substitute Sayan Banerjee showcased skilful manoeuvres, earning a penalty after being brought down in the box. Surprisingly, Cleiton Silva missed the resulting spot-kick, offering Jamshedpur FC a ray of hope. In a tactical manoeuvre, Jamshedpur head coach Khalid Jamil pushed centre-back Elsinho upfront to alter the dynamics of the game. The strategy posed challenges for East Bengal, and in a late onslaught, Jamshedpur came close to scoring through Pratik Chaudhari and Elsinho, testing Prabhsukhan Gill once again.
However, East Bengal weathered the storm and secured a 2-0 victory, booking their place in another final. The upcoming clash at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, January 29, will see them face either Mumbai City FC or Odisha FC, as the Red and Gold Brigade aim to etch their name onto the Kalinga Super Cup trophy. Despite late efforts from Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal FC’s goalkeeper Gill made crucial saves, preserving the 2-0 lead until the final whistle. East Bengal advances to the Kalinga Super Cup final, awaiting the winners of the second semi-final between Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC. The final is set for January 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM IST in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium.
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