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In a football clash that brimmed with fervor, seasoned footballer Nandhakumar Sekar delivered a stellar performance, breaking East Bengal's 1658-day wait to conquer their traditional adversaries, Mohun Bagan, in a gripping Durand Cup match. Securing a 1-0 victory for his team on Saturday, Sekar's moment of brilliance in the 60th minute has momentarily disrupted Mohun Bagan's seemingly effortless advance to the quarter-finals.
While Mohun Bagan has amassed six points from three Group A matches, East Bengal's tally currently stands at four from two games. With a spot in the last eight on the line, the stakes will be high when East Bengal faces Punjab FC in their impending group league match.
Guided by Carles Cuadrat, the architect behind Bengaluru FC's Indian Super League triumph, East Bengal exhibited enhanced cohesion on the pitch. Nandhakumar's international-caliber strike was facilitated by an astute assist from Saul Crespo. Displaying immaculate footwork, Sekar navigated past Mohun Bagan's Aniruddh Thapa, culminating in a remarkable goal that left goalkeeper Vishal Kaith grasping at thin air.
This momentous win for East Bengal punctuated Mohun Bagan's reign, a dominance that persisted over four and a half years. Historical stats remind us of East Bengal's last triumph against Mohun Bagan in the I-League on January 27, 2019.
The atmosphere at the packed Salt Lake Stadium was electric. Under Cuadrat's influence, East Bengal's midfield showcased compact play, maintaining a majority of ball possession. Their attack, too, was on point, though the first half remained devoid of goals.
Goalkeeper Prabhaukhan Singh Gill for East Bengal demonstrated commendable prowess with a notable save, keeping Mohun Bagan at bay just before halftime.
Post Sekar's game-changing goal, East Bengal meticulously constructed a defensive fortress, repelling every attempt from Mohun Bagan's arsenal. The match's concluding minutes were marked by a torrential downpour, yet East Bengal stood their ground, ensuring their slender lead remained intact.
Both teams commenced with a 4-4-2 formation. Cuadrat placed his faith in Borja and Siverio for offense, while Lal Chungnunga and Spaniard Jordan Elsey fortified the defense. Mohun Bagan's Ferrando made three tactical changes, bolstering his lineup with Ashish Rai, Anirudh Thapa, and Armando Sadiku. With the defensive responsibilities shouldered by Anwar Ali and Brendan Hamill, Mohun Bagan geared up for an intense showdown.
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