Football

East Bengal FC, the Kolkata-based football club, will face Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh in their second match of the AFC Challenge League on Tuesday, October 29. The match will be held in Bhutan at 8:30 PM IST.East Bengal began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Paro FC of Bhutan in their opening match. Dimitri Diamantakos scored a brace for East Bengal, helping them salvage a point after trailing 2-0 at one stage.Bashundhara Kings, on the other hand, are the reigning champions of the Bangladesh Premier League. They have a strong squad with several experienced players, including former Bangladesh national team captain Jamal Bhuyan.East Bengal will be looking to improve their performance against Bashundhara Kings. They will need to be more clinical in front of goal and tighten up their defense. A win against Bashundhara Kings would give East Bengal a major boost in their quest to qualify for the AFC Cup.The match will not be televised in India, but it will be live streamed on the YouTube channel of Paro FC.

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.

Mohun Bagan Triumphs Over East Bengal in ISL 2024 ClashIn a highly anticipated Indian Super League (ISL) encounter, Mohun Bagan emerged victorious over arch-rivals East Bengal with a 2-0 scoreline on Saturday. The Mariners' triumph propelled them to second place in the standings, while East Bengal remained winless after five matches and languished at the bottom of the table.The match commenced with both teams eager to assert their dominance. However, it was Mohun Bagan who seized the initiative in the 41st minute when Jamie McLaren capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home the opening goal. The Mariners maintained their momentum in the second half, and their efforts were rewarded in the 89th minute when Dimitri Petratos converted a penalty to seal the victory.East Bengal, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to find a breakthrough against a resolute Mohun Bagan defense. The Red and Golds' winless streak extended to five games, leaving them in a precarious position at the foot of the table.Mohun Bagan's victory was a testament to their superior quality and tactical acumen. McLaren's clinical finish and Petratos' composure from the spot proved decisive in securing the three points. The Mariners' defense, led by Sandesh Jhingan, was equally impressive, thwarting East Bengal's attacking threats throughout the match.East Bengal, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around. Their lack of goals and defensive frailties have been glaring in the early stages of the season. The Red and Golds will be desperate to break their winless streak in their upcoming fixtures and climb out of the relegation zone.The ISL 2024 season promises to be an enthralling affair, with several more exciting matches to come. Mohun Bagan's victory over East Bengal has set the tone for a competitive and unpredictable campaign.

Anwar Ali Cleared to Play for East Bengal After AIFF Reverses SuspensionIndian defender Anwar Ali has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Players Status Committee, allowing him to officially join East Bengal. This decision comes after the Delhi High Court ordered a rehearing of Ali's case, overturning a previous four-month suspension imposed by the AIFF.The AIFF had initially suspended Ali for allegedly terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan in an unjust manner. The federation also sought a hefty compensation of Rs 12.90 crore from Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal. However, the Delhi High Court intervened, criticizing the AIFF's decision for lacking reasoning and failing to follow principles of natural justice.The court directed the AIFF to reconsider its ruling, and the Players Status Committee has now granted Ali the NOC. This means that Ali is now free to join East Bengal and participate in the ongoing Indian Super League. He will be available for their upcoming match against Kerala Blasters on September 22 and the highly-anticipated Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan on October 19.Ali's suspension had been a major setback for both the player and East Bengal. The defender is a key member of the Indian national team and has been a consistent performer for East Bengal in the past. His return to the team will provide a significant boost to their title aspirations.The AIFF's decision to reverse Ali's suspension is a positive step towards ensuring fairness and transparency in Indian football. It also highlights the importance of due process and the right to a fair hearing for players.

India Defender Anwar Ali, East Bengal, and Delhi FC Challenge AIFF SuspensionIndia defender Anwar Ali, along with his current club East Bengal and parent club Delhi FC, have filed a writ petition with the Delhi High Court challenging the four-month suspension imposed on the player by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The suspension stems from Anwar's alleged "illegal termination" of his four-year contract with Mohun Bagan.The AIFF's Players Status Committee found Anwar guilty of breaching his contract and ordered him, East Bengal, and Delhi FC to pay a hefty compensation of Rs 12.90 crore to Mohun Bagan. The compensation includes Rs 8.40 crore for the residual value of the contract, Rs 2 crore paid to Delhi FC under a loan agreement, and Rs 2.50 crore for other damages.Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj expressed concern over the suspension, stating that it would deprive Anwar of valuable playing time. "How can we let the player lose out on matches in the coming days? You can get money back, but you can't get the matches back once they are played," he said.East Bengal's top official, Debabrata Sarkar, echoed Bajaj's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Anwar's participation in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL). "We have approached the Delhi HC to ensure that Anwar can play until the AIFF's Appeals Committee makes a decision on the matter," Sarkar said. "The player's career should not be affected at all cost."The AIFF's Players Status Committee also banned East Bengal and Delhi FC from registering players for two transfer windows for their involvement in Anwar's contract breach. The committee ruled that all three parties are jointly liable for the compensation amount.Anwar's transfer to East Bengal sparked controversy in Kolkata, with Mohun Bagan challenging the move and filing a complaint with the AIFF. The 23-year-old defender played a crucial role in Mohun Bagan's ISL Shield-winning campaign last season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 26 games.The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the writ petition on Friday. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Anwar's career and the future of player contracts in Indian football.

Indian defender Anwar Ali's controversial transfer from Mohun Bagan Super Giant to East Bengal has resulted in severe consequences for all parties involved. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has imposed a four-month suspension on Ali, while his parent club Delhi FC and East Bengal have been barred from registering new players for two transfer windows.The AIFF's Players' Statue Committee (PSC) found Ali guilty of terminating his four-year loan deal with Mohun Bagan Super Giant without proper authorization. As a result, Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal have been ordered to pay a combined compensation of Rs 12.90 crores to Mohun Bagan.Ali's suspension is a significant blow to the Indian national team, where he has been a key member of the defense. The 23-year-old has played 22 matches for the Blue Tigers since making his debut in 2022, helping them win the Tri-Nation series, Intercontinental Cup, and SAFF Championship.Ali's rise to prominence began with the Minerva Academy before he joined the AIFF's developmental side in 2017. He made his Indian Super League debut in 2021 and has played 46 matches in the league so far.Despite being a center-back, Ali has also shown his attacking prowess, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 26 matches last season. He was also the top scorer for Delhi FC in the 2021 I-League Qualifiers with four goals.In the 2023-24 ISL season, Ali registered four clean sheets, 18 interceptions, 17 tackles, 45 successful duels, 19 successful aerial duels, 9 blocks, 67 recoveries, 52 clearances, and 549 successful passes in 16 matches.The AIFF's decision to punish Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal sends a strong message that contractual obligations must be respected in Indian football. The consequences of this case will likely have a lasting impact on the transfer market and the conduct of players and clubs in the future.

Lucknow to Host Historic Mohun Bagan-East Bengal Derby, Boosting Football in Uttar PradeshLucknow, the vibrant city of Nawabs, is set to witness a historic football clash on September 2nd as traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal face off at the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium. This highly anticipated derby marks a significant step in promoting football in Uttar Pradesh and is expected to draw a massive crowd of approximately 10,000 spectators.The preparations for this high-voltage match are in full swing, with the testing of the recently installed floodlights underway. The dressing rooms and other facilities for the players are also being meticulously arranged. State Sports Director R.P. Singh has confirmed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to grace the occasion.The decision to host the derby in Lucknow stems from a meeting between All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Chaubey expressed the need to promote football in Uttar Pradesh, and the state government enthusiastically embraced the proposal.Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, renowned for their passionate fan base, will arrive in Lucknow on September 1st. The derby promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the immense talent and rivalry that defines Indian football.The hosting of this prestigious match in Lucknow is a testament to the growing popularity of football in Uttar Pradesh. The state government's commitment to promoting the sport is evident in its support for this event. The derby is expected to inspire young footballers and further ignite the passion for the beautiful game in the region.

The Durand Cup 2024 group stage match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan promises to be an electrifying affair as the arch-rivals clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. The Kolkata Derby is a highly anticipated event, with both teams vying for a knockout spot.Mohun Bagan have been in impressive form, remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in the tournament. East Bengal, on the other hand, have conceded twice but are determined to secure a victory.The East Bengal squad boasts a strong defense led by Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Lalchungnunga. Their midfield is anchored by Souvik Chakrabarti and Jeakson Singh, while Cleiton Silva and Dimitrios Diamantakos provide attacking firepower.Mohun Bagan's defense is equally formidable, with Ashutosh Mehta and Gurjinder Kumar forming a solid partnership. Their midfield is led by Sk Faiz and Surabuddin Mollick, while Subha Ghosh and Deep Saha pose a threat up front.In terms of head-to-head encounters, East Bengal holds a slight edge with 142 wins compared to Mohun Bagan's 129. However, in Durand Cup history, East Bengal leads 9-8 with five draws.The match is expected to be a close and intense battle, with both teams eager to secure a victory. Fans can expect a high-octane encounter filled with passion, skill, and rivalry.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will lead the charge as 24 teams prepare for the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, the inaugural competition of Indian football's new season. Mohun Bagan SG, also the holders of the Indian Super League shield title, will face Srinagar-based club Downtown Heroes FC, which plays in I-League Division 2, in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.The tournament format features 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams each. The groups include teams from the ISL, I-League, and the Services teams of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Kolkata will host the matches of Groups A, B, and C, while Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Kokrajhar and Shillong will host the Group E and F league matches respectively.The 36-match group league stage will conclude with the Kolkata derby featuring two of the oldest teams in the continent - Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC - on August 18. The top team from each group and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals (knock-out stage). The quarterfinals are scheduled to start on August 21 and will be held in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Kolkata, which will host two matches. Kolkata will host both the semifinals and the final, which will be held on August 31.