I-League 2018-19: East Bengal 1-1 Aizawl FC – title race over for Red and Golds with disappointing draw against Aizawl

East Bengal’s hopes of clinching the elusive I-League this season are all but over after their draw against Aizawl FC. They were held 1-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Monday.

With just a point from this match, East Bengal climbed to the 2nd position on the league table, leaving Real Kashmir in the 3rd position. Both the teams have 33 points from 17 matches but East Bengal are a place higher due to their superior goal difference. Real Kashmir might get 3 points from the Minerva Punjab match if it is considered being forfeited by the AIFF Executive Committee.

As it stands, Chennai City will clinch the I-League if they get all the points in their next match against Churchill Brothers.

Leonce Dodoz broke the deadlock for Aizawl in the 23rd minute when he beat the offside trap to lob the ball over onrushing East Bengal goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar. Enrique Esqueda equalized for the home side when he headed home the pin-point cross from Samad Ali Mullick.

Towards the end, Aizawl defender Kareem Nurain was sent off for involving himself in a brawl with East Bengal players.

Let us take a look at why East Bengal were held against Aizawl:

#3 Defensively strong Aizawl did well to block East Bengal attacks

Aizawl tactically outplayed East Bengal

East Bengal played impeccable passing football for the last few matches, which earned them so much success and lifted their spirit in the run for the title. They try to use the gap between the defenders while Jobby Justin or Enrique Esqueda makes a run to receive the ball and put it into the back of the net.

Aizawl’s new coach Stanley Rozario likes to study the opponent’s before the match. He made a perfect plan to foil East Bengal’s attack. So whenever East Bengal came to attack, lots of Aizawl players gathered inside the box and closed all the gaps in order to prevent passing. The move worked as East Bengal found it really hard to move the ball in and outside the box. Their natural game was gone.

Due to the rainfall earlier in the day, the weather became pleasant which also helped the Aizawl players to play with all their energy. They ran hard, chased for the ball and snatched it from their opponents for a major part of the game.

They only time Aizawl committed a mistake was during the equalizer from East Bengal. Esqueda was left unmarked in the box and the Mexican calmly headed the pin-point cross from Samad Ali Mullick. East Bengal made every effort to find a winner but credit goes to Aizawl defenders for putting their all on the field to prevent East Bengal from scoring.

#2 No Plan B for Menendez

East Bengal players failed to alter their approach

East Bengal have found success this season by playing some excellent passing football, thanks to their Spanish style of play. Coach Alejandro Menendez has instilled the necessary confidence in his side to play with a fearless approach. But even after being blocked time and again by Aizawl a resolute defence, the coach didn’t push for a plan ‘B’, which surprised many.

East Bengal played too many passes in and outside the box but never found the gap to make the final pass. Their wing play was also missing as Laldanmawia Ralte was off-color throughout the match. Jaime Santos has also not performed according to his reputation.

Even after watching his team struggle on the pitch, there was no change in approach in East Bengal’s game plan from their manager. They continued to play short passes in front of the goalmouth when a shot from distance from necessary.

Menendez finally made a change by bringing in Samad Ali Mallick in the 2nd half and it was Samad who crossed a pin-point delivery which led to the equalizer. But it should’ve been done earlier as East Bengal looked like a dangerous team late in the game.

#1 A forgettable day for Jobby

Jobby had a day to forget

Just a few days ago, Jobby Justin was labeled as the best Indian striker to play in the I-League and Indian football fans vented their anger against former coach Stephen Constantine for not including the Keralite in the squad for the Asian Cup.

Justin has impressed so much this season that he is even getting offers from the Indian Super League (ISL) franchises. With eight goals and countless beautiful performances, he has earned the right to take an offer. But even the best footballers have to witness a forgetful day.

It was a day when nothing out of his feet turned into a goal. With the number of chances he got in the whole match, he should’ve easily gone away bagging a hat-trick. However, apart from hitting the post just once, he never looked like the same person who hogged the limelight earlier.

In the 2nd half, he got a beautiful pass from Manoj Mohammad. Despite having all the time and space, Justin shot the ball wide, much to the disbelief of the fans. He missed another chance just after a few minutes when he had to flick the ball to put it into the net.

Justin was tightly marked by the Aizawl defender who never allowed him any space to operate, which also lowered his confidence.