East Bengal punishes Punjab’s defensive lapses

Lal Chungnunga celebrates after scoring East Bengal FC’s third goal in the Indian Super League match against Punjab FC in New Delhi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Defensive blunders and profligacy in attack have been recurring problems for Punjab FC in its meandering Indian Super League (ISL) campaign. It didn’t show much improvement on either front on a balmy Saturday evening as East Bengal prevailed 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in a contest between two teams languishing in the lower half of the standings.

The Kolkata giant seized the initiative in the 15th minute when it pounced on a defensive error from Punjab centre-back Suresh Meitei. With Meitei making a hash of what should have been a straightforward clearance, the ball found Dimitrios Diamantakos on the left side of the 18-yard box. Although the angle wasn’t ideal for a shot, the East Bengal forward decided to take aim rather than find a teammate with a cross. It paid off as his attempt thudded into the back of the net through the legs of Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar.

In the 47th minute, the visitor went 2-0 up through Naorem Mahesh Singh. Just seven minutes later, the handful of East Bengal supporters inside the stadium found their voices again as Lal Chungnunga made it 3-0 by burying the ball into the net with a powerful right-footed shot.

A stunner from Ezequiel Vidal in the 62nd minute helped the men in orange pull one back. With the ball falling to Vidal on the half-volley on the edge of the box, the Argentine exhibited exemplary technique to score his sixth goal of the season. It was too little too late for Punjab though.

The result: Punjab FC 1 (Ezequiel Vidal 62’) lost to East Bengal 3 (Dimitrios Diamantakos 15’, Naorem Mahesh Singh 47’, Lal Chungnunga 54’).