East Bengal beat Namdhari, advancing to the IFA Shield Final. East Bengal bagged a comfortable 2-0 win over Namdhari FC at Kishore Bharati Stadium on October 14.
This win helped East Bengal maintain its perfect record this season, with six different players finding the net for Oscar Bruzon’s men.
Despite needing just a draw to qualify for the final, the Red-and-Gold Brigade started the play with aggression and high press, with Bipin Singh holding the ball and making frequent progressive carries into the final third.
East Bengal Defeats Namdhari FC to Reach IFA Shield Final
Mohammed Rashid and P.V. Vishnu bagged two goals each for East Bengal as the Red-and-Gold Brigade defeated Namdhari FC in their IFA Shield group-stage clash at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
In the IFA Shield final qualifying match of East Bengal vs Namdhari, the opening came in the 19th minute of the first half, when a clearance by Namdhari followed Rashid gaining the ball and shooting from outside the box, bagging the first screamer.
In the next goal, we witnessed the beautiful combination play of two Indians, David Lalhlansanga and Vishnu. The play was capitalized as Vishnu accurately shot past Namdhari’s goalkeeper Niraj Kumar, into the bottom-right corner.
The two players showed great teamwork and synergy as David waited to deliver the final pass as Bipin drew three defenders towards him, which made Vishnu free, releasing a run, who then received the pass to bury the ball into the net.
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What’s next?
On October 18, in the final, they will face the topper from the other group, ie. Group B. Their opponent in the final will likely be Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which leads Group B before the final round. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are arch-rivals, so their clash in the IFA Shield final will be a great watch.
East Bengal is the most successful team in the tournament. They have reached the final 41 times now, securing 29 of them in their collection. Their last title came in 2018 when they beat arch-rival Mohun Bagan.
Match Highlights Showcase East Bengal’s Control
- 4’ Double Save: Bipin Singh’s cross forced Namdhari goalkeeper Niraj Kumar into two consecutive saves, with Rashid’s follow-up shot also denied.
- 19’ Goal – Rashid: Seconds after Miguel’s header hit the woodwork, Mohammed Rashid fired from outside the box to give East Bengal the lead.
- 41’ Goal – Vishnu: David Lalhlansanga assisted Vishnu, who dribbled past defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner.
- 87’ Chance for Namdhari: Michael set up a shot from distance, but Prabhsukhan Gill made a crucial save to preserve East Bengal’s clean sheet.
Amit Mishra’s Take
East Bengal’s 2-0 win over Namdhari FC booked their place in the finals.. Under Oscar Bruzon’s guidance, the Red-and-Gold Brigade displayed control, dominance and intent. Moreover, Mohammed Rashid’s long-range brilliance and Vishnu’s composed finish proved crucial for the win.
With a potential Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, it is not surprising that East Bengal’s perfect form and heritage make them favorites for a thrilling upcoming IFA Shield final.
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