East Bengal FC kicked off their AFC Challenge League 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Bhutanese club Paro FC at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.
While the Indian side displayed moments of attacking brilliance, defensive lapses ultimately prevented them from securing a win.
Goals from Madih Talal and Dimitrios Diamantakos earned East Bengal a point, but post-match comments from head coach Oscar Bruzon revealed a sense of frustration over recurring mistakes.
The match saw East Bengal starting strong, taking the lead in the fifth minute with a clinical finish from Mehdi Talal.
However, the celebration was short-lived as a reckless tackle by Provat Lakra in East Bengal’s penalty area allowed Paro’s William Opoku to equalize from the spot, just eight minutes later.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Paro FC took the lead when Asante capitalized on a defensive error, beating the offside trap and scoring one-on-one against East Bengal’s goalkeeper, Prabhsukhan Gill, to make it 2-1 at halftime.
Reflecting on these critical moments, Bruzon commented, “The first penalty was unnecessary and should never have happened. The second goal came from a mistake by three players failing to block a counterattack. These individual errors condemned us to this final result.”
East Bengal showed increased intensity in the second half, pushing for an equalizer and creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities.
“We created an immense volume of chances in the second half,” Bruzon noted. “I believe we were the better team on the pitch, but once again, we failed to convert our quality play into results.”
When asked about the missed opportunities, Bruzon expressed his concerns, saying, “This isn’t the first time we’ve created 20-25 chances and only scored once or twice. We’re conceding goals too easily, and in football, the game is won in both boxes. We need to take care of this issue because it’s frustrating to always be the better team on the pitch but not get the result we deserve.”
Bruzon acknowledged that while there were positive aspects to the game, the team’s fitness and coordination still needed work. “We’re making changes to improve the team’s overall fitness, intensity, and defensive discipline. It’s a process, and adjustments can’t happen overnight,” he explained.
The coach also highlighted the unwavering support of East Bengal’s fans, who turned up in large numbers even for an away game. “Our fans’ support is unbelievable. They deserve better, and we’ll keep fighting to make them proud. Their encouragement motivates us to push harder every game.”
As East Bengal prepares to face Bashundhara Kings in their next group stage match, Bruzon is determined to address the team’s defensive challenges and capitalize on their offensive potential.
“A draw might not be enough in the next game. We’re alive in the competition, and we’ll give everything to move forward,” he concluded.
The draw leaves East Bengal with a valuable point but underscores the need for greater consistency and discipline.