Kolkata: The Bangladesh Army Football Team (BAFT) held a 10-man Emami East Bengal 2-2. With an exciting last-few minutes goals, the Group A Durand Cup game between the two teams at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) went to draw. East Bengal went up through goals from Saul Crespo and Siviero, but Shariar Emon first and then substitute Meraj Pradhan kept the visitors in contention.
Maiden #EastBengal goal for Saul. A special moment indeed! ❤️💛#JoyEastBengal #EmamiEastBengal #EEBFCBAFT #DurandCup pic.twitter.com/iDezPsiNg7
— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) August 6, 2023
One of the two Spaniards in Spanish manager Carles Cuadrat’s starting eleven, Javier Siverio, appeared to give the red and golds the lead. Under five minutes into the game he beautifully weighted cross from the left side by Naorem Mahesh, but ultimately received a yellow card for handball.
In the 34th minute, Nishu Kumar was hauled back by Kamrul Islam inside the Bangladeshi penalty area, leading to the game’s first goal. Saul Crespo, the second Spanish player, shot perfectly from the penalty spot. Just before the break, Siverio headed in clean this time off a Harmanjot Khabra floating from the right, giving East Bengal hope that they had an insurance second.
A last-minute goal from Mehraj Pradhan rescued a point for Bangladesh Army FT as they held @EastBengal_FC to a 2️⃣-2️⃣ draw in @thedurandcup ⚽#SonySportsNetwork #DurandCup #IndianFootball #CoalIndiaLimited | @IndianOilcl pic.twitter.com/MI8oswB1FM
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 6, 2023
The second half saw scrappy football for most parts. East Bengal did get the better chances but failed to convert any. The Nishu Kumar was sent-off and Bangladesh sensed a chance.
The 88th minute then saw the occurrence of two things. Jordan Elsey, an Australian, took over for Gursimrat Gill, and Shariar Emon scored the first goal of the competition for Bangladesh. It originated from a throw-in by Mehedi Hasan from the left side, which was intercepted by two headers en route to landing in Emon’s path. The lanky forward struck with his left, and the ball needed a few bounces to get past Prabhsukan Gill, the custodian.
As the game entered extra time, Bangladesh launched an attack through Emon as Emami East Bengal’s 10-man lineup grew weary. He made a cross to Mamun, whose shot Gill deflected back. An onrushing Meraj punced on the loose ball and shot back towards goal which Gill again managed to thwart feebly for one last time, before Meraj muscled it in, to secure a point for his team
Scorers
Emami East Bengal– 2 Saul Crespo (34’), Siviero (45’+4’)
Bangladesh Army Football Team – 2 (Sahariar Emon 88’ Meraj Pradhan 90’+7’)
