PHOTO: FILE
KE were overwhelmed by their Indian opponents right from the get go as their Nigerian striker Orok Essien scored the opening goal in the 15th minute on a header.
Debutants KE tried their best to contain the Kolkata-based team, but Muhammad Rafiq scored another goal in the 25th minute as East Bengal FC extended their lead to 2-0 at the interval.
KE lose 3-2 to Dhaka Abahani in opener
The Pakistan club began the second half aggressively and scored in the 48th minute, but the referee declared the goal offside.
Meanwhile, East Bengal FC’s Essien lifted India to 3-0 through another goal in the 49th minute.
Striker Muhammad Rasool scored KE’s consolation goal in the 84th minute.
“We missed some very good chances,” KE manager Zabe Khan told The Express Tribune. “We fell short because we failed to convert those chances.”
KE to face Dhaka Abahani FC in first match
With the win, East Bengal FC booked their place in the semi-final of the tournament from Group B.
KE will play their last group match against hosts Chittagong Abahani FC on Saturday.
Meanwhile, coach Majid Shafiq said while the team is expected to have a tough time against Chittagong, he wants his players to show improvement in the game. “I have told the players to take positives from this tournament,” said Majid. “East Bengal are a professional club and they played like it, while we only prepared our team in four days.”
Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup: KE to feature English striker and female coach
Meanwhile, East Bengal FC manager Sammy Omollo praised KE and admitted that the Pakistan club gave the Indians a tough time. “KE played well, but we studied their strengths and weaknesses beforehand and planned,” said Omollo in a post-match interview.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2015.
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