East Bengal Secures First Win of ISL-10 Season with Cleiton Silva’s Free-Kick
Cleiton Silva, the Brazilian forward, delivered a stunning free-kick conversion in injury time during the second half, leading East Bengal to a 2-1 victory over former champion Hyderabad FC. This win marks East Bengal’s first triumph of the ISL-10 season and took place at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Silva had previously equalized the score immediately after Hyderabad FC found the lead through Hitesh Sharma in the eighth minute of the first half.
An Entertaining First Half With Two Goals
The opening half of the match was filled with excitement as the opponents exchanged goals, resulting in a deadlock at the halftime whistle. East Bengal FC dominated proceedings in the early stages, but Hyderabad FC seized the opportunity to take the lead. A defensive error from the home side allowed forward Joseph Knowles to cut inside and take a shot. The ball deflected off East Bengal midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti and found an unmarked Hitesh Sharma, who calmly directed it into the net.
Cleiton Silva Levels the Score
However, Hyderabad FC’s lead was short-lived. Carles Cuadrat’s men quickly regrouped and found the equalizer through Cleiton Silva. The opportunity arose when the Hyderabad defense let their guard down, allowing Spanish playmaker Borja Herrera to penetrate the box. Nim Dorjee Tamang’s half-hearted tackle allowed the ball to roll into the path of Cleiton Silva, who skillfully chipped it over goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani and into the net.
Despite the equalizer, East Bengal seemed to lose momentum, allowing the match to descend into a lackluster phase. However, in the dying moments of injury time, Cleiton Silva once again showcased his Brazilian flair, securing the victory with a finish that perfectly encapsulated his skill and heritage.
East Bengal’s First Win Brings Hope
The result of the match is a significant milestone for East Bengal, as it marks their first win in the ISL-10 season. The team will undoubtedly draw confidence from this victory as they look to build momentum and climb up the rankings.
Final Score: East Bengal 2, Hyderabad 1
The final scoreline of the match reads East Bengal 2 (Cleiton Silva 10 & 90+3) defeating Hyderabad 1 (Hitesh Sharma 8). This victory provides East Bengal with a much-needed boost and will serve as motivation for the upcoming matches in the season.
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