Brilliant in the second half, East Bengal began like champions by defeating Churchill 4–0

Photo Courtesy: East Bengal FC

Xtratime Web Desk

East Bengal sent a clear message to every team in the ISL at Fatorda on Sunday: Beware! It was not just the 4-0 victory over Churchill Brothers that made the defending champions' start to the campaign so impressive. The football they produced in the second half was arguably the best we have seen this season so far. Six or seven players moved together in attack and defence during quick transitions. The counter-attacks were swift, and the midfield was a delight to watch.

That is precisely why this match report must begin with the second half. East Bengal demonstrated what happens when a good team comes under a coach of Antonio Lopez Habas's calibre. Their combination play, support play and third-man runs functioned like a well-oiled machine during transitions. Churchill Brothers were simply blown away. Even substitute Bipin Singh came off the bench to score twice. Danny Ramirez and Edmund Lalrindika had scored the first two goals.

Although both teams scored twice in each half, the first period was a much more evenly contested affair. It was an open, high-tempo contest, with both sides creating several scoring opportunities. The difference was that East Bengal converted theirs, while Churchill failed to do so.

The Red and Gold Brigade struck as early as the second minute when Danny Ramirez opened the scoring with a superb left-footed free-kick. The game then swung from one end to the other. A Churchill player's shot came back off the post, while Edmund wasted an opportunity after failing to control Rashid's excellent pass with his first touch. In the 42nd minute, Leuca had a chance to equalise after receiving the ball from Gutierrez, but a heavy first touch took him into a difficult angle. Instead of making it 1-1, Churchill found themselves trailing 0-2 when the combination of David and Edmund produced East Bengal's second goal.

The two forwards appeared to be competing with each other, and that only made East Bengal's attacking play more incisive. Indian football is fortunate to see two such promising talents working under a coach like Habas at this stage of their careers. They are developing quickly and becoming increasingly dangerous.

East Bengal could have extended their lead early in the second half had Ramirez not produced a weak shot or seen another effort crash against the crossbar. Edmund then found himself one-on-one with the Churchill goalkeeper. Rather than being selfish, he squared the ball to Vishnu, who was in a better position. However, Vishnu failed to convert the chance into an open goal.

Soon after the goalkeeper brilliantly saved another effort from Vishnu, Bipin took centre stage with two goals. His first was a powerful, angled left-footed strike. The second came after the ball travelled through Rashid and Vishnu, with Bipin applying a delicate finishing touch.

Churchill did have one more opportunity when Leuca found himself in a promising position, but he failed to reach the ball by a fraction.

Churchill had started with five midfielders, and their strategy of using pace to bring more players into both attack and defence worked reasonably well in the first half. They managed to get behind Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh on several occasions, particularly through some promising attacks down the right flank. Churchill's players had pace, energy and ability, but what they lacked was experience. That was arguably the main reason they went into the break two goals behind.

In the second half, however, Habas's East Bengal seemed to suck all the energy out of their opponents. There appeared to be only one team on the pitch: East Bengal.

The big question now is whether they can sustain this form throughout the league. If they can, the ISL could well turn Red and Gold once again.

Habas is already demonstrating why he stands apart from other coaches and why he is regarded as a championship-winning manager.