ISL 2024-25: Jamshedpur beats East Bengal as red and gold lost four back to back matches
Xtra Time Web Desk: East Bengal could have scored at least eight goals. But it seems the football gods have turned their backs on them. Otherwise, the chances Clayton Silva, Madi Talal, and Soul Crespo wasted against Jamshedpur would have made it difficult to leave the field. Crespo missed a penalty. Two shots hit the post and the bar. Clayton couldn't push the ball into an open goal. The team had to pay the price for this. In the ongoing ISL, East Bengal has lost four consecutive matches. After the game, as the devastated players returned, it was clear how much pressure they were under. This was the best they had played this season. Yet, they still ended up losing. Many red-and-yellow supporters had gone to Jamshedpur hoping to see their team return to winning ways. But once again, they returned disappointed. Khalid Jamil wore the winning smile. Jamshedpur looks good this season, having won three out of their first four matches.
After losing three matches in a row, East Bengal showed some improvement in the fourth match. It was evident that after Carlos Cuadrat's departure, Bino George had made some changes to the strategy. Madi Talal repeatedly attacked with his feet. In the 11th minute, Talal could have given the team the lead. He shot from the first post after entering the box from the left flank. But the shot was off target.
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Jamshedpur returned to the game after defending East Bengal's initial attack. They moved forward with short passes. In the 17th minute, Jamshedpur could have taken the lead if it weren't for Devjit Majumdar under the red-yellow goal. He saved a header from Jordan Marre from just two yards away. Four minutes later, Jamshedpur took the lead. Rei Tachikawa scored with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box. Devjit had no chance to stop the Japanese player's shot.
East Bengal was not disheartened even after conceding a goal. During Cuadrat's tenure, it seemed the players lacked the urgency to score. But that urgency was evident in this match. If Clayton had converted his chances, East Bengal would have been leading at least 3-1 by halftime. Their captain couldn't push the ball into an open goal. It was clear how much pressure he was under. Otherwise, the chances he wasted would be considered a crime in neighborhood football.
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After trailing by a goal at halftime, East Bengal intensified their attack from the start of the second half. They were rewarded with another chance to score for Clayton. He missed again. Bino brought on PV Vishnu as a substitute. He immediately created a good opportunity. Clayton was fouled in the box by Javi Hernandez from a rebound. East Bengal was awarded a penalty, but they failed to convert it. Crespo shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Albino Gomes. Three minutes later, Clayton missed again, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He hit the post.
It was evident that it wasn't East Bengal's day. After wasting opportunity after opportunity, in the 70th minute, East Bengal's Laldchungnunga scored an own goal. While trying to save Imran Khan's shot, he accidentally sent it into his own net. The red-and-yellow players looked confused, unable to comprehend what was happening. They simply could not find the net. Hector Yuste's header from inside the box also hit the bar and went out.
Even in the remaining time, East Bengal didn't stop trying. But they couldn't score. In the final moments, Khalid added more players to defense, making it difficult to score. Ultimately, East Bengal left the field with a 0-2 loss. The pressure increased on the red-and-yellow players before their next match, which is a derby.