CFL 2017: Derby to decide the champions as East Bengal share points with Black Panthers

Match EB vs MD Sporting 160917 rr (6)
Al Amna and Willis Plaza scored for East Bengal against Mohammedan Sporting today in the mini-derby. Image Source: XtraTime

Kalyani: Kolkata giant East Bengal’s dream run in Calcutta Football League has finally been halted by the Mohammedan Sporting Club. The Red and Gold brigade played a 2-2 draw with the Black Panthers. This result has brought their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan back in the league as they both have same points but East Bengal is still at the top of the points table via goal difference.

East Bengal’s star midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna drew the first blood on the second minute of the game as he received the ball with his chest and scored a stunner with the ball still on air to give his side a much needed advantage. Jiten Murmu leveled the score for the Black and White brigade on the 23rd minute of the game after receiving a brilliant through from Kalu Ogba. The score remained 1-1 at the end of the first half.

At the opening moment of the second half East Bengal got another chance to score against Mohammedan but unfortunately Plaza’s shot only rattled the bar. At the 67th minute of the game Black Panthers star forward Dipanda Dicka gave a much needed lead to his side. Jiten Murmu gave a through to him from the right flank and the star striker didn’t do any wrong to convert it into a goal. When everybody thought East Bengal will lose the match, Cavin Lobo who came in as a the substitute of Brendon gave a clinical through to Trinidad and Tobago International Willis Plaza and Plaza put the ball into the net brilliantly on the 87th minute of the game to assure his team at least 1 point.

The Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have same points, and the Kolkata Derby on 24th September of CFL 2017 promises to be very exciting.

At the end of the high voltage game a lot of supporters of both the sides became very sick due to heat stroke. The match was started from 2.45 pm and the weather was very hot and humid at Kalyani. The supporters have urged the IFA that from next time they should also think for the supporters too as they also suffers a lot for this.

The updated points table of CFL 2017:

1 East Bengal – 19 points – 7 matches

2 Mohun Bagan – 19 points – 7 matches

3 Mohammedan Sporting – 14 points – 8 matches

4 Peerless – 9 points – 5 matches

5 Rainbow – 8 points – 7 matches

6 Tollygunge Agragami – 7 points – 5 matches

7 Calcutta Customs – 6 points – 7 matches

8 Patha Chakra – 4 points – 7 matches

9 Southern Samity – 1 point – 4 matches

10 Railway – 0 point – 5 matches