Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal, Kalinga Super Cup: MBSG 1-3 EBFC | Cleiton scores brace as Torch Bearers scorch Mariners

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East Bengal have advanced to the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Friday (January 20).

Cleiton Silva scored a brace while Nandha Kumar added the other goal as the Red and Gold Brigade mauled their arch-rivals at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

It was a decent start from the Mariners though, who got an early lead through Hector Yuste. The Mohun Bagan centre back headed in from a corner to give them the lead in the 19th minute. East Bengal were not behind for long, as Cleiton Silva scored a terrific goal to level things up for them.

It ended all squares at the break, but not without drama. Mohun Bagan was awarded a penalty after a Hijazi Maher handball, but Dimitrios Petratos's retaken shot hit the post and the Mariners failed to get their noses in front.

At the second half, Carles Cuadrat's men had the better chances and soon they were rewarded for it. Substitute Ravi Bahadur Rana lost the ball in a dangerous position and Borja Herrera got it. The Spaniard hit the post but the rebound was tucked in by Nandha Kumar to give East Bengal the lead.

The joy of the East Bengal fans doubled ten minutes from time when Cleiton Silva added his second of the night. Arsh Shaikh spilled a ball and the Brazilian tucked past the keeper to make it 3-1 for them.

The Green and Maroon Brigade failed to create anything significant chance after that and it ended 3-1 for East Bengal.

With the victory, East Bengal have now qualified for the semifinals of the Kalinga Super Cup, becoming the first-ever Kolkata club to achieve the record. Mohun Bagan will return home after a topsy-turvy campaign and concentrate on the second half of the ISL.