East Bengal have won the Kalinga Super Cup 3-2 against Odisha FC, after a thrilling final confirming their spot in the AFC Champions League 2 next season. This is the first trophy the team has won since their promotion to the ISL, with Carles Cuadrat achieving a crowning moment after joining at the start of the season.
He led them to the finals of the Durand Cup in the summer only to come up short against their rivals Mohun Bagan. But this time, the result has gone their way with continental football on the line. With both men reduced to 10, Cleiton Silva scored the winner, in the most fitting conclusion to the club captain’s performance at the Super Cup.
East Bengal win Kalinga Super Cup 2024, sealing AFC Champions League 2 spot
Brazilian forward Diego Mauricio opened the scoring for Odisha FC in front of their home fans, piling the pressure on East Bengal.
Nandakumar Sekhar scored against his former side, dribbling past the keeper to level things up. And his equaliser was followed by muted celebrations, raising folded hands to the Kalinga Stadium crowd. Shortly after, Mourtada Fall conceded a penalty with Saul Crespo making no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1.
Fall then hit Borja Herrera with an elbow in the face in an aerial battle to get sent off, turning the advantage even more in favour of the Red and Gold side.
Diego Mauricio had a great opportunity to score after Odisha were reduced to ten men, but were denied by Prabhsukhan Gill. Although the East Bengal keeper was beaten by an effort in the 80th minute, after a lapse in judgement from Hijazi Maher, the post saved the day for East Bengal.
Vishnu had a number of opportunities to score from the right wing after coming on for Nandakumar, but squandered both of them, as East Bengal continued to try for a third goal. However, the youngster was surprisingly subbed off for Sayan Banerjee in the 85th minute, with the youngster winning a penalty in their semifinal outing.
Odisha FC were visibly unhappy with the referee’s decision making, with the penalty, red card and a number of 50/50 challenges going against them. However, lightning struck in the final seconds as Diego Mauricio earned a penalty on the other end.
Ahmed Jahouh showed ice cold composure to pull off a panenka, with Gill diving to his right as he chipped it in through the middle.
Silva then pounced on an error in the box to score from a tight angle. Wild celebrations followed as East Bengal finally held on to win the trophy and end a 12-year drought for silverware.
