East Bengal vs Rainbow AC, CFL 2023: Red and Gold Brigade held to a goalless draw

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Full Time: East Bengal 0 Rainbow AC 0

It ends in Kolkata at a stalemate. It was a frustrating afternoon for East Bengal as they were held to a goalless draw. The Red and Gold Brigade had numerous opportunities but they failed to capitalize on anything. East Bengal's defense also had nervy moments but survived any damaging consequences.

10th corner for East Bengal, and they fail to create anything fruitful from it. Satyabrata Manna again commands the box and holds on to the ball. Excellent keeping by the Rainbow AC custodian. We are barely seconds away from the end.

92' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

East Bengal win a corner. Excellent sliding challenge again by Rainbow AC there to deny the cross from getting into the box. The resulting corner fisted away by Satyabrata Manna.

Added Time: 5 Minutes

5 minutes added on by the 4th official. East Bengal will have to find a goal in the match otherwise this will be a massive setback for the Red and Gold Brigade.

Player of the Match

Our Player of the Match is Sourav Dasgupta. The Rainbow AC defender has been a rock for his team the entire match and has done nothing wrong. With a minute to go, he has been the standout player.

84' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

East Bengal tries to innovate from a free kick but the second pass trickles the ball out of play. You can hear the frustrated sighs from the crowd as their team has been very underwhelming so far.

Pankaj Moula now receives a yellow card for Rainbow AC. He takes one for the team as East Bengal look to capitalize.

82' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Sarthak Golui makes the 11th East Bengal foul of the match. He is now Yellow Carded by the referee, 3rd East Bengal player on the book today. Poor play from the experienced defender.

77' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

What an excellent block by Injamul Haq to deny East Bengal's Subhendu Mandi. The defender blocked Mandi's strike from a point-blank range. Satyabrata Manna hugs his teammate for that outstanding act.

The Final Quarter

The final quarter of an hour remaining in the match. Rainbow AC are holding on as East Bengal push for the goal. But make no mistake, the all Whites have every chance to get a goal by themselves. Meanwhile, East Bengal have another corner.

74' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Kush Chhetry swivels his body and hits the ball on the volley, but fails to hit the target. East Bengal needs an inspiration soon. It is too easy for Rainbow AC at the moment.

69' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Set-piece well defended and cleared by Rainbow AC. East Bengal looking disappointing. And again an easy chance wasted by Tuhin Das. A tame effort from close range as the ball is gobbled easily by Satyabrata Manna.

65' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

East Bengal again loses their composure at the final third and another attack fizzes out for them. 25 minutes to go for East Bengal to find a winner.

63' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Sarthak Golui's left-footed cross is easily cleared out by Rainbow AC. You can hear some frustrating words from the East Bengal bench. This is not how they thought the game will pan out after the hour mark.

Niranjan Mandal and Aman CK on for East Bengal. Muhammad Niyas is one of the players who are taken off.

60' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Pritam wins the ball the Rainbow AC come forward. But it is a tame move as East Bengal defender Athul Unnikrishnan wins the ball with ease.

55' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Tuhin's cross from the left-hand side is excellently defended by Sourav Dasgupta. What a performance this has been by the Rainbow AC player.

54 - EBFC 0 RAC 0

Rainbow Athletic are looking more confidence in the second half. They are causing problems from set pieces as EBFC are struggling against the minnows.

47' - EBFC RAC 0

East Bengal striker Mohammad Niyas misses a sitter, an absolute sitter! He couldn't put a touch from point blank range as East Bengal fail to take the lead. How could he miss that!! Missing that was harder than scoring.

2nd Half Started

The second half starts at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. No changes made for both teams at the break.

Half Time: EBFC 0 RAC 0

A pulsating encounter ends goalless after the first 45 minutes. East Bengal and Rainbow both created chances but only 1 shot of them was on target. Lijo K, Muhammad Nishad were decent for East Bengal, whereas Sourav Dasgupta was the defensive star for Rainbow AC.

Save

Excellent save by Nishad. Rainbow AC striker Jaydeep was through and his chip brilliantly saved by the EBFC keeper.

A fantastic chance yet again for East Bengal but Sarthak Golui's flick just goes wide. Any better touch and it was in for East Bengal.

Offside!!

East Bengal finally manage to put the ball into the net but Niyas is adjudged offside. It was as clear as daylight. Half of the added minutes are gone.

8 mins added

As we predicted, 8 minutes have been added at the end of first half. East Bengal are slowly showing their potential and would be keen to break the deadlock in these 8 minutes.

43' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

An excellent chance created but East Bengal striker fails to connect his header. And then Tanmoy hits his volley over the bar after an intelligent exchange os passing. Huge opportunities for the Red and Gold brigade, but they squander both of them.

We can expect a decent amount of added time at the end of first half. The early injuries of Aditya Patra, the cooling breaks mean there can be around 5+ minutes added to the half.

40' - EBFC 0 RAC 0

It is still a stalemate as both teams have failed to open the scoring. Sanjib takes a shot and his latest one is wayward as well.

A complete lack of communication from East Bengal in all parts of the field. They need significant improvement and need it fast.