A lot of toffee has come home to East Bengal. But when the topic of Asian Cup comes up after defeating Bektero Shasana, the level of excitement of the red and yellow fans changes. Times have changed, but is the name Bektero Shasana still very much relevant in the minds of fans? Because in the first year of playing in this 11-year regime, the highest goal scorer in the Thai League got the honor of ‘Golden Boot’ by scoring 24 goals in the first year. He may not be in the running for the golden boot with 9 goals this season, but he has already earned the golden throne in the hearts of the fans and of course leading his own team East Bengal to victory in the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan match.
East Bengal-3 (Claiton-2, Nanda) vs Mohun Bagan-1 (Hector)
After joining Pawan Kumar Chamling’s team, none other than Derby’s all-time top scorer Baichung Bhutia, who is also extremely busy with Sikkim’s Lok Sabha and Assembly polls at the same time. A far cry from football at the moment. That Baichung called from Sikkim this morning and asked about Clayton. Because who knows the stage of the big match like him? This is exactly the question that was asked to the Brazilian striker in red and yellow at the press conference the day before. Because last season, despite scoring 12 goals, there was no goal in the derby. As a result, the transition from star to great star was not happening at all. And this great star of East Bengal’s football history can enter the stage only if it is possible to put his name in the goal scorer’s bracket in the derby. But entering the history of the eternal derby like this! Not one! Absolutely two-goal. Nanda scored again in Darby. And in that, East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals of the Super Cup.
Lately, when the Bengali clubs are discussed in Indian football, Mohun Bagan is the center of discussion except for East Bengal. Where is East Bengal there?
Over the last three seasons, the red and yellow fans have only prayed with stones in their chests to avoid the embarrassment of finishing last in the Indian Super League. Finally Hamlin appeared in the red yellow world called Quardrato. And from footballers to supporters ran like crazy to follow the whistle of his football brain. Pulled away the stone of failure from East Bengal. Sitting in the VIP box of the Kalinga Stadium, the coach of Orissa FC was watching the excitement of the East Bengal footballers around the coach after the match. Whose coming to East Bengal this season was ripe. But he could not decide whether coming to East Bengal in a bad situation would be the right career decision. And so he hung up and finally did not come again. That’s why Carlos Kadrat, who threw his fisted hands to the sky after the match, looked surprised. Another VIP of Kalinga Stadium was watching the match Sitting in the box. He is Habas. Green Maroon never lost a derby during his tenure. But now Bengal’s football is the age of Cuardrato.
A draw was needed to advance to the semi-finals. But Cuardato’s coaching manual says no system can be created separately to draw or win. What can be done is to play according to your own strategy by keeping the team composition right. And that’s what he did. Clayton may have scored the man of the match. But Hijazi led the team from the defensive third. Borha should also be said. But why would Mohun Bagan surrender?
Although there were no Indian footballers in the first XI, there were foreigners. There were stars like Sadiku, Dimitri, Hugo Booms, Hamill, Cummins. It was Mohun Bagan who scored the goal in the beginning. Dimitri’s corner clicked with a right foot out step and Hector sent the ball into the net. But this East Bengal is a changed East Bengal. Clayton did not take long to repay the goal. From about 25 yards out he got the ball in the jam and made an outside dodge and sent the ball into the net with a sharp shot by Clayton.
After that opportunity came to Mohun Bagan. Kian entered. Hijazi saved by lying down in the built short box. Dwimitri also scored from the penalty. But the referee canceled the goal because Booms had already entered the box. Dimitri hit the return short.
After that, the rest of the history of the derby is only for East Bengal. When Hijaji came out at short post, Nanda came from behind and left the ball burning. And when Borha’s high cross was brought down to Hijazi’s head, Clayton scored again.