Kolkata: Kolkata giants dream start in the I-League 2018-19 has come to an end as they lost to Chennai City FC 2-1 in their first home game at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
The Red & Gold defence was clueless in front of Chennai’s attacking play as they created a lot more chances here. In the second minute of the added time of the first half Alex Sandro scored a stunner from a free-kick just outside the box.
Though in the second half the home side equalized through Enrique Esqueda. But the home side didn’t look in control of the game despite of the equaliser. In the dying minutes of the game East Bengal goalie Rakshit Dagar fouled a Chennai player inside the box and the referee didn’t hesitate to give the penalty to the visitors and Nestor did nothing wrong to give the lead to Chennai from the spot kick.
The home side made one change in the playing XI as they brought in Samad Ali Mullick in place of injured Chullova. But this the gamble by coach Alessandro Garcia didn’t work as Samad played one of the worst games of his life. World Cupper Jhonny Acosta too looked a bit shaky but Borja Perez was good in the defence as always. He single handedly saved the home side for three or four occasions.
The Red & Gold Brigade missed their star midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna who is out for quite some time with a back injury and yet to feature in the I-League. There was not a single player in the midfield who could hold the ball and act as a playmaker. Enrique too looked a bit off colour except the goal. Hero for East Bengal in the last game Jobby Justin looked in good touch today as well but he also failed to take his side over the line.
After this game Chennai City FC remained at the top with 10 points in 4 games on the other hand East Bengal is on 6 points after playing 3 matches so far.
Over all the midfield and the forward line will be the cause of concern for the Red & Gold coach as they will later travel to Aizawl a few days later for their next encounter.