Kolkata: Talismanic Nigerian Edeh Chidi struck a hat-trick and set up a couple more as East Bengal thrashed Yangon United of Myanmar 5-1 to enter the AFC Cup quarter-final for the second time after 2004. It was Chidi (25th, 71st and 76) who made his presence felt with a treble while Penn Orji (2nd) and captain Mehtab Hossain (48th) chipped in with a goal each much to the delight of the 10,000-odd spectators who had gathered at the floodlit Salt Lake Stadium.
Chidi and Co dazzled as Wednesday would certainly be remembered as one of the most memorable days in Indian club football as the team entered the last eight stage of Asian Tier-II continental event. The Trevor Morgan coached side might have had a disappointing finish in the I-League slipping to third spot, but the Scot ensured that the boys kept their impeccable record against international teams intact as Chidi set up Penn Orji for a second minute strike.
The Myanmar outfit's talismanic forward Adama Kone, who had a tally of nine goals, was brilliantly marked by the resolute East Bengal defence as Yangon United were reduced to a frustrated unit only to score a consolation goal through Cezar Augusto in the 78th minute. Chidi attacked from the right flank before passing on to an unmarked Penn inside the box as the latter slotted it home for an easy lead.
Chidi had another fine run in the 18th minute when he blasted from the edge of
10:06 PM, May 15, 2013
Kolkata: Their I-League hopes might have been dashed but East Bengal remained in contention to finish runners-up whipping United Sikkim FC by a tennis score margin of 6-0 in a penultimate round fixture here Wednesday. East Bengal (49) are now two points behind second-placed Pune FC as the Kolkata giants, with a better goal difference, have a realistic chance to repeat their last two season's performance by getting the better...
08:35 PM, May 08, 2013
Vasco: East Bengal's chance to stay in contention for the title race ended after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Dempo FC in the 25th round of the I-League played at Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday. East Bengal, who led 1-0 at half time, scored through Penn Orji in the 17th minute. Dempo who were unable to breach the rival defence in the first half found the equaliser...
08:56 PM, May 04, 2013
Kolkata: Unbeaten East Bengal will look to top group H before the knockouts as they face Vietnam oufit Sai Gon Xuan Thanh in their last league match of the AFC Cup here on Tuesday. East Bengal have already qualified for the pre-quarterfinals as they lead the table with 11 points, while the Vietnam outfit lie second with eight points. A draw will be enough for the red and gold brigade...
07:49 PM, Apr 29, 2013
Vasco: Churchill Brothers, who are enjoying a four-point lead over East Bengal in the chase for the title, are now preparing to extend the lead further when they take on an out-of-form Dempo in their 24th round I-League match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here Wednesday. East Bengal's dream to win the title received a severe blow after they drew four matches in a row, giving Churchill Brothers a chance...
12:17 PM, Apr 16, 2013
Kolkata: East Bengal's I-League hopes virtually went up in smoke after a 1-1 draw against Sporting Clube de Goa at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan Sunday. East Bengal were wasteful to start with as the Goans drew the first blood when Juanfri Pena struck in the 43rd minute. Cornered, the home outfit found the equaliser through Edeh Chidi who struck in the 62nd minute. It was East Bengal's fourth successive draw...
07:35 PM, Apr 14, 2013
New Delhi: East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan feels leaders Churchill Brothers are still the favourites to win the I-League football title but hoped stranger things to happen that may favour his team. After 22 matches, East Bengal (42) are five points behind Churchill Brothers, who have 47 points. "We have to believe we can still clinch it -- otherwise what's the point? Having said that, you need to remember that...
05:53 PM, Apr 10, 2013
Singapore: Three Lebanese referees pleaded not guilty to the charge they accepted sexual bribes in return for fixing a regional soccer match involving East Bengal but had their request for bail rejected by a Singapore judge on Wednesday. Kamala Ponnampalam dismissed the claims because a "flight risk cannot be discounted". FIFA-recognised referee Ali Sabbagh and assistants Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb will next appear in court on April 18. On...
02:16 PM, Apr 10, 2013
Kolkata: Leaders East Bengal will look to take themselves closer to a pre-quarterfinal berth in the AFC Cup when they face struggling Tampines Rovers of Singapore at Yubabharati Krirangan here on Tuesday. The stadium will hold a football match seven days after it hosted the Indian Premier League Sixth Season opening ceremony. Having beaten the same side by a record 4-2 margin in an away match five days ago, East...
05:42 PM, Apr 08, 2013
Andrew Barisic struck twice to help East Bengal climb to the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Tampines Rovers in their group H AFC Cup match. ...
09:55 PM, Apr 03, 2013
Second-placed East Bengal would look to brighten their pre-quarterfinal hope when they face Tampines Rovers. ...
04:59 PM, Apr 02, 2013
Air India had plenty of chances to get something out of their game but the visitors lacked the sharpness upfront. ...
07:14 PM, Mar 19, 2013
The long break has helped Churchill Brothers playmaker Roberto Silva to completely recover from his finger injury and coach Mariano Dias will have a full squad to choose from for Tuesday's game. ...
07:05 PM, Mar 18, 2013
East Bengal came back from behind to defeat arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the penalty shoot-out to storm into the 117th IFA Shield final. ...
11:41 PM, Mar 17, 2013
East Bengal moved into the final round of Under-20 I-league after holding Tata Football Academy to a goalless draw. ...
11:09 PM, Mar 12, 2013
Defending champions East Bengal stormed into the semi-finals of the 117th IFA Shield with a 2-0 win over United SC in Siliguri. ...
10:11 PM, Mar 08, 2013
In a 52nd-minute move from Odafa Okolie, Tolgay Ozbey's powerful shot was handled by Uga Okpara inside the East Bengal box but the Kerala referee Santosh Kumar overruled the appeal. ...
06:31 PM, Feb 09, 2013
Mohun Bagan had the edge, missing one free kick in the first-half and they were also unlucky as referee refused to award a penalty kick. ...
06:17 PM, Feb 09, 2013
A win against their arch-rivals after the December 9 fiasco would act as a tonic for Mohun Bagan who have 12 matches in the battle for survival. ...
05:35 PM, Feb 08, 2013
East Bengal reached the top of the standings with 39 points from 19 matches while Arrows stayed back on 19 points from 18 matches. ...
05:46 PM, Feb 02, 2013
