East Bengal Held to a 1-1 Draw by 10-Man Suruchi Sangha

East Bengal were forced to share points in their second fixture of the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2025-26, following a 1-1 draw against a resilient Suruchi Sangha side at the Bankimanjali Stadium in Naihati. Despite taking the lead and enjoying a numerical advantage in the second half, the Red and Gold Brigade were unable to secure all three points on a rain-affected Friday afternoon.

Challenging Conditions and Missed Opportunities

With heavy monsoon showers affecting the pitch, ball control and passing were a challenge for both sides. Several East Bengal players, including Sayan Banerjee, struggled to maintain balance and rhythm on the slippery surface. The wet conditions disrupted East Bengal’s usual fluidity, leading to misplaced passes and lost momentum in the final third.

The absence of key attacker Jesin TK was evident, as East Bengal lacked clinical edge up front. Aman CK missed a golden opportunity early in the second half, while Nasib Rahman’s curling effort narrowly missed the target. Despite dominating possession, East Bengal failed to capitalize on their chances or effectively stretch Suruchi’s defense from the wide areas.

First-Half Lead and Second-Half Setback

East Bengal took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Vanlalpeka Guite. Capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Suruchi’s Balram Mandi, Guite pressed high, intercepted the ball, dribbled past goalkeeper Shubham Roy, and finished with composure to make it 1-0 in the 45+3rd minute.

However, the lead was short-lived. In the 48th minute, Suruchi Sangha equalized through substitute Karmanna Bansal, who slotted home after Monotosh Chakladar failed to clear his lines. Despite being reduced to 10 men following Bablu Oran’s red card, Suruchi displayed strong defensive organization and tactical discipline for the remainder of the match.

Match Officials and Officiating

The match was officiated by a competent team of referees:

• Referee: Nripen Halder

• Assistant Referees: Noni Gopal Shah and Abhigyan

• Fourth Official: Nabin Kumar

The referees maintained control in difficult conditions and made key decisions, including the second-half red card, with confidence and accuracy.

Tactical Adjustments and Final Whistle

East Bengal coach Bino George introduced several substitutions in the second half, including Andrews and Azad, in an attempt to regain the lead. However, Suruchi Sangha defended deep and effectively absorbed pressure. Their goalkeeper and backline remained composed under repeated attacks, while East Bengal lacked coordination and urgency in the final third.

The 1-1 draw serves as a wake-up call for East Bengal, highlighting the need for improved finishing, better decision-making, and tactical flexibility. Despite their dominance in possession and chances, they failed to break down a determined 10-man Suruchi side. In contrast, Suruchi Sangha can take great pride in their spirited performanc, demonstrating resilience, discipline, and teamwork under pressure.

As the CFL progresses, East Bengal will look to regroup and return to winning ways, while Suruchi’s result positions them as a team capable of upsetting the league’s traditional powerhouses.