East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC: East Bengal defeat Punjab FC 1-0 to qualify for the Durand Cup 2023 quarter-finals

East Bengal FC defeated Punjab FC by 1-0 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan to book a place in the quarter-final of the Durand Cup 2023. With a must-win situation before the match, the red and yellow brigade was able to clinch a win over the Punjab FC team to top Group A with seven points and progress to the next round of the tournament.

First half | East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC

The home team started looking a tad nervous against a formidable Punjab FC. In 6th minute, Juan Mera had the first chance of the match with some wasteful back asses from East Bengal. Eventually, Gill had to dive to his left to save the ball.

The game was poised between the two teams until in the 21st minute of the match a beautiful corner from Borja Herrera landed on Javier Siverio's head who did not miss the opportunity to make it 1-0 for Emami East Bengal. Punjab FC looked a bit sloppy in their defence giving away the freekick that led to a corner eventually. Post the goal, East Bengal players looked more threatening with Mahesh from left and Landha from right creating a solid partnership. In the 36th minute, Naroem Mahesh's intention to cut inside the box from an encounter was stopped by a tactical tackle by Nikhil Pravu. Although there was an appeal for a penalty, the referee denied it instantly.

Soon after that, in the 40th minute, East Bengal nearly increased the goal difference with another header from Siverio. However, this time, he could only hit the bar from the centre of the box. Mahesh was again excellent with the run and cross from the left for East Bengal.

Just before the first-half whistle, Punjab FC created two chances but without any result for them. First chance came with Brandon taking a shot on target but it was deflected by his own captain Luka Majcen inside the box. The second chance was in the form of a free-kick just outside the box but Juan Mera could only shoot it over the bar to end the first half at 1-0.

Read Also: "Durand Cup is like pre-season, we need to keep the momentum going after this big victory" says East Bengal coach, Carles Cuadrat

Second half | East Bengal vs Punjab FC

The second half started with the anticipation of East Bengal scoring more goals and Punjab FC giving a fight to the Kolkata Maidan giants. East Bengal's Nunga first received a yellow card for wasting time. In the second half, as the game progressed, both teams lost their mojo and somehow started playing an ugly game resulting in a few yellow cards as well. Only Souvick looked like playing a good game proving to be a wall for Punjab FC to get over.

In the 61st minute, Punjab FC's defender Lhungdim made a dangerous cross towards Luka on the left. But, Jordan Elsey was there to fly in for a header to clear out the ball. With a squad full of talent, Calres Cuadrat had the option to make some changes for East Bengal. First, he brought in Pardo to replace Borja and then brought in Cleiton Silva for the first time this season. He replaced Siverio as the striker.

Soon after coming from the bench, Cleiton neatly had the perfect start to the game. However, his freekick in the 73rd minute from an inch outside the box went over the bar to disappoint the fans. Cleiton had another chance after Nikhil Parbhu missed the ball completely while clearing the ball. Cleiton would have been really disappointed for missing out on scoring from that position.

Nervy late few minutes for East Bengal

With five minutes to secure a place in the quarter-finals, Cuadrat brought in Rakip and Suhair to replace Mahesh and Nishu Kumar. Silva had his third chance of the match in the 87th minute via a delicate cross from Nandha Kumar from the left of the box. But, Cleiton miscued the shot to get another corner for his team. Nadha Kumar from the left looked threatening but without much of a result against his name. East Bengal looked a tad nervous to end the game, but nevertheless, a win is a win for them which take them to the next round of Durand Cup 2023.