Football

East Bengal FC secured their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match. The Indian Super League side finished as group winners with seven points, having previously defeated Bashundhara Kings and drawn with Paro FC.Dimitrios Diamantakos was the hero for East Bengal, scoring a brace to lead his team to victory. The Greek striker opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Nejmeh defender Baba Musah inadvertently headed a corner kick into his own net. Diamantakos doubled East Bengal's advantage in the 15th minute, tapping home a low cross from Mahesh Naorem.Nejmeh fought back to level the match before halftime, with goals from Collins Opare and Hussein Monzer. However, East Bengal regained the lead in the 77th minute when Diamantakos converted a penalty after Madih Talal was brought down in the box.Despite Nejmeh's efforts to mount another comeback, East Bengal held on to secure the win and top spot in the group. The Indian side will now await their quarter-final opponents, which will be determined after the completion of all AFC Challenge League group stage fixtures.The victory was a significant achievement for East Bengal, who are making their debut in the AFC Challenge League. The Indian Super League outfit will be hoping to continue their impressive run in the knockout stage and make a deep run in the competition.

East Bengal's AFC Challenge League campaign got off to a thrilling start as they salvaged a crucial 2-2 draw against Bhutan's Paro FC. The Indian Super League side showed resilience to come back from a 2-1 deficit at halftime, with Dimitrios Diamantakos scoring a vital equaliser in the second half.East Bengal made a bright start to the match, taking the lead in the 5th minute through Madih Talal. The Syrian forward converted Saul Crespo's precise cutback to put the visitors ahead. However, Paro FC responded quickly, with William Opoku equalising from the penalty spot just three minutes later.The home side continued to press forward, testing East Bengal's defence with long-range efforts from Koki Narita and Tomoyuki Unno. Paro's persistence paid off in stoppage time, when Evans Asante capitalised on a swift counterattack to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.In the second half, East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Kazuo Homma nearly extended Paro's lead with a close-range header, but Diamantakos responded with a shot that went wide. The Greek forward made no mistake with his next opportunity, however, coolly finishing Nandhakumar Sekar's pinpoint cross in the 69th minute.East Bengal continued to press for a winner, but Paro FC held firm to secure a share of the spoils. The Indian side will now look ahead to their next Group A clash against Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday, aiming to build on this hard-earned draw.

Emami East Bengal, the Kolkata football giant, has unveiled a star-studded squad ahead of the upcoming season, aiming for greater success after finishing ninth in the previous Indian Super League (ISL) edition. The team has significantly reinforced its roster with the addition of Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, French playmaker Madih Talal, India international Jeakson Singh, and emerging talent David Lalhlansanga.Coach Carles Cuadrat expressed optimism about the team's prospects, acknowledging the challenges faced last season due to injuries and suspensions. "We hope we can put up a better challenge and performance as we have a bigger squad with bigger names," he said.The team's immediate focus is on the Durand Cup and the AFC Champions League preliminary stage match against Turkmenistan's FC Altyn Asyr on August 14. Cuadrat emphasized the importance of depth in the squad, which he believes will be crucial for success in both competitions.Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has strengthened its foreign contingent by signing Australian World Cupper Jamie Maclaren, a five-time A-League Golden Boot winner. Maclaren's arrival adds firepower to Bagan's attack, which already boasts the likes of Dimitri Petratos, Greg Stewart, and Jason Cummings.

Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters Set for Crucial ISL Clash at Sree Kanteerava StadiumOver a year after their infamous protest and forfeit at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Kerala Blasters return to face Bengaluru FC in a highly anticipated Indian Super League (ISL) encounter. While the stakes may be lower this time around, the match holds significant importance for both teams.Bengaluru FC, currently ninth in the standings with 18 points from 17 matches, is desperately chasing a playoff spot. A victory against Blasters would keep their hopes alive, as they aim to finish among the top six. Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, are fifth with 29 points from 16 games and are eyeing a direct semifinal berth, which is reserved for the top two teams.Both teams enter the match on the back of morale-boosting victories. Bengaluru FC overcame Hyderabad FC 2-1 at home, while Kerala Blasters snapped a three-match losing streak with a thrilling 4-2 win over FC Goa.Bengaluru FC will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Suresh Wangjam, who was suspended against Hyderabad FC, and defender Aleksandar Jovanovic, who has recovered from an injury. Kerala Blasters will rely on the goalscoring prowess of Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, who has netted 10 goals this season, including six in the last six matches.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two experienced coaches. Bengaluru FC's Simon Grayson will look to exploit the Blasters' defensive vulnerabilities, while Ivan Vukomanovic will aim to maintain his team's attacking momentum and secure a crucial three points.With both teams desperate for a positive result, the atmosphere at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is expected to be electric. The match will be a test of character and resilience for both Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters, as they strive to achieve their respective goals in the ISL.