The match between East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC ended 0-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium as nothing could separate both sides. Both sides looked strong in the build-up but the outcome never came. East Bengal looked more like a balanced team. Jamshedpur FC struggled to operate in some positions but they too played well. Prabhsukhan Gill had to make some crucial saves to deny Jamshedpur from scoring. East Bengal also tried to test TP Rehnesh but Siverio missed a golden opportunity otherwise the host team would have gotten the three points in their ISL 2023-24 opener.
East Bengal started attacking within three minutes of the game. Nishu Kumar advanced the ball into the box. But Xavier Severio could not keep the ball in the goal. Jamshedpur was playing counter-attacking football. But the red-yellow was attacking too much. They attacked again and again in the whole match. Only the goal could not be scored. Lots of opportunities were created but none ended in the back of the net. Prabhsukhan Gill had to make some crucial saves to deny Jamshedpur from scoring. East Bengal also tried to test TP Rehnesh but Siverio missed a golden opportunity otherwise the host team would have gotten the three points in their ISL 2023-24 opener.
However, the referee did not respond to Jamshedpur's penalty request at the end of 91 minutes. Harmanjot Khabra fouled Jamshedpur's Imran in his own box. But the referee didn't pay attention. Jamshedpur also did not get a penalty. Khabra committed a foul without the ball. At the end of 96 minutes, Jamshedpur's Emil Beni was again shown a red card, but the referee canceled it and showed a yellow card.
Red & Gold supporters were hoping to start with a win at home. But that didn't happen. They had to settle for just one point. East Bengal's next match is on Saturday. They will play against Hyderabad FC in that match at Yuva Bharati. Coach Carles Kuadrat would like his side to be more clinical before the match.
The match is about to start in Kolkata.
The first half gets underway at the Salt Lake Stadium.
First corner of the game for East Bengal but nothing comes out from the set-piece opportunity.
East Bengal is creating lots of chances at the moment.
Pratik Chaudhary fouls Javier Siverio Toro.
Daniel Chima's header goes off the target.
Nandha cuts in from the right and finds Souvik with the cutback. Souvik goes for a shot from distance, which is nowhere near the target.
Pranoy Halder sees a yellow card. He got into a tussle with East Bengal captain Harmanjot Khabra.
Souvik goes into the book as well. He challenged late on Pronay. A brilliant call from the referee.
The game was nothing but physical until now. Both teams wasted opportunities from set pieces but otherwise, they couldn't make a clear chance.
East Bengal are on its way to building a counterattack. Borja finds Siverio with a short pass and Siverio spreads the ball to the left. Mandar made an overlapping run. He tries to find a teammate with a grounded cross but is cleared by a Jamshedpur defender.
Javier Siverio misses another chance. Borja with the cross from the left but Siverio failed to tap the ball into the goal. East Bengal looking good but not clinical.
Nongdamba Naorem sees the yellow card.
Back-to-back attacks from East Bengal FC. Borja and Mahesh's shots were saved by Rehenesh.
Three minutes were added at the end of the first half.
East Bengal were in danger for a moment as Jamshedpur FC moved ahead in number. Chima passes the ball to Stevanovic, whose cutback finds Manzoro. Manzoro pulls the trigger but sends the ball straight to Gill.
Borja Herera gets injured after a nasty challenge from Laldinpuia.
Both teams had plenty of chances to get the lead but it ended as goalless. The exciting second half is coming soon.
Here we go! The second half begins.
Pardo provides a cross inside the box from a free kick. Pratik clears the ball as Saul goes to attack but there is a huge handball shout. The referee pays no attention but the replay clearly shows that it was a handball. Unlucky decision for East Bengal.
ISL needs VAR, East Bengal would have got a penalty.
Pronay hits the side-netting. He stole the ball from Mahesh but the outcome didn't go his way.
Pratik Chaudhary again commits a nasty challenge to Siverio Toro.
Nikhil shows amazing control to bring down a long ball played to him. He keeps the ball in play and gets his shot away from a tight angle. Gill puts out a hand to make a decent save.
IN- Cleiton, Rakip; OUT- Borja, Souvik
N- Semboi, Rei, Sanan; OUT- Pronay, Chima, Stevanovic
Imran swings in a good cross from a corner that is defended well. The danger is not away. Manzoro gets the ball and crosses inside the box again. Sanan has a chance to get a shot away from the left side of the box but is unable to do that as the ball goes out of play.
Pardo shows good technique in keeping the ball down but not on the target. Rehenesh had to be covered even if the shot was on target.
Nandhakumar makes a good run on the right flank. He sets up Saul for a shot. Saul goes for its first time and it is a rocket of a shot but off target.
Time for the Water break.
IN- Benny OUT- Stevanovic
IN- Edwin OUT- Nishu
Nandha crosses the ball inside the box. Elsinho is there to head the ball away. He is having a great game.
Barla sees a yellow card for a late tackle on Nandha.
Nandha had a clear run at goal but Barla did well to keep the East Bengal winger under pressure and lose the ball.
IN- Ricky; OUT- Nikhil
IN- Guite; OUT- Naorem Mahesh
Seven minutes were added at the end of the second half.
Emil Benny was first shown a red card for pushing down Saul Crespo but then the referee rescinded the booking and called him back.
Saul Crespo of East Bengal also sees a yellow card.
East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC play out a 0-0 draw in their opening match of the ISL 2023-24 season. Plenty of chances were missed by both teams. None could separate the sides as they will share 1 point each from their first fixture.
Elsinho won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant display in defence.
