Kolkata : SC East Bengal is a club with rich history and heritage. They made a late entry to the ISL campaign of 2020- 2021 and were the 11th team and final team to participate for this season. Founded in August 1920, this club has a humongous fanbase in and outside of Kolkata.
The club with a history of over 100 years, joined ISL this season after they found an investor at the last moment. Their arch rivals Mohun Bagan merged with another franchise Atk and were already enrolled for this year’s tournament. So the onus was on EastBengal.
This team carries the hope of so many fans. The fans would hope their team to regain their glory days after they won the IFA shield in 2018, but failed to lift the I-League trophy. This is a new chapter in their history this season with their maiden appearance in the Indian Super League.
Last season, they finished second in the I-league table behind their arch rivals and champions Mohun Bagan. In the Durand Cup, they reached the semi-finals but lost on penalties to Gokulam FC. In Calcutta Football League also they finished behind Mohun Bagan and Peerless with 20 points.
The team would like to rejuvinate under their new coach, management and new players and start afresh and keep their glory alive. Inspite of the late entry they managed to sign some Indian and overseas players who could make a difference. With head coach Robbie Fowler, a former Liverpool legend the main challange would be to bring the team together in such short span of time.
On paper, the team looks quite strong and one who would be up for any challange.
Goalkeepers: Debjit Majumder, Sankar Roy, Rafique Ali Sardar, Mirshad Michu
Defenders: Daniel Fox, Scott Neville, Samad Ali Mallick, Abhishek Ambekar, Narayan Das, Mohammad Irshad, Gurtej Singh, Rohen Singh, Lalramchullova, Rana Gharami, Anil Chawan, Novin Gurung, Pritam Kumar Singh
Midfielders: Matti Steinmann, Jacques Maghoma, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Wahengbam Angousana, Bikash Jairu, Yumnam Singh, Surchandra Singh, Loken Meiti, Mohammed Rafique, Milan Singh, Haobam Tomba Singh, Anthony Pilkington, Sehnaj Singh
Forwards: Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Balwant Singh, Jeje Lalpheklua, Girik Khosla, C. K. Vineeth, Harmanpreet Singh
Top overseas players like Anthony Pilkington, Daniel Fox and and Scott Neville to name a few and promising Indian talents like Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Bikash Jairu, Narayan Das, among others would be players to watch out for.
Overseas players to watch out for :
1. Anthony Pilkington : The 32 year old has rich experience in top-flight football. He played for Norwich City in Premier League and had over 50 appearances. He can play in several positions in midfield and also is quite a handful as a false 9.
2. Daniel Fox : Having played in England and Scotland, Danny Fox is going to bring a lot of depth to the defence of SC East Bengal. A former player of Southampton FC, Fowler would be counting on him to lead the centre back position of his team.
3. Scott Neville : The Australian fullback joined SC East Bengal on a one year loan deal from Brisbane Roars. His decade-long experience in the A-League, and the prior connection between him and Robbie Fowler would help East Bengal to a great extent.
Indian players to look out for :
1. Jeje Lalpheklua : The 29 year old striker is considered as one of the best forward of this country in the recent times. Though his form for last two season didnot live up to the expectation. But with East Bengal starting fresh Fowler would try and bring back the real star in him. With the likes of Anthony Pilkington and Aaron Amadi-Holloway beside him, the frontline looks quite strong for the men in Red and Gold.
2. Narayan Das : The 27 year old fullback is the most capped player of thr tournament. His vast experience with several ISL clubs is an added advantage. He will be up with Scot Neville, Danny Fox, and Gurtej Singh in charge of the defence.
3. Eugeneson Lyngdoh: The former Bengaluru FC sensation, would look forward to reincarnate his form that almost made him a overnight sensation. The 34 year old would be a key player for East Bengal this season.
This is the first season of ISL for many players in the squad together, most of them have not played with each other and Robbie Fowler had very less time to build this team together and also to impose his philosophy and style of play. Though the team looks quite strong on paper, it will be upto Fowler and co to express themselves on the grass and perform.
