East Bengal 4-4 Chonburi - Match Report: 2011

AFC Cup

Group H

East Bengal 4-4 Chonburi 

Salt Lake Stadium

Wednesday 2nd March, 2011 

Match Report

by the-afc.com

East Bengal scored two late goals to claim a thrilling 4-4 draw with Chonburi in their opening AFC Cup Group H clash at Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. In a game full of fluctuating fortunes, East Bengal surged into a two-goal lead inside the first 20 minute before Chonburi hit back to go 4-2 up, only for the hosts to peg them back with 11 minutes to go. East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan had warned that his team would not have it easy against the Sharks yet the hosts did not seem to encounter any such problems at the start. 

The Federation Cup champions took the lead in the seventh minute through Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey. Chonburi goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool lost possession of the ball under pressure from striker Robin Singh and Ozbey had no problem in finding the back of the net with an empty goal beckoning him from the edge of the box. East Bengal then made it 2-0 in the 20th minute when midfielder Penn Orji found Ozbey and his snap shot deflected off Chonburi defender Chonlatit Jantakam and into the net. 

Despite being 2-0 down, Chonburi never looked to be out. Veteran midfielder Therdsak Chaiman and striker Adul Lahso were combining well and it was only a matter of time before the Thais reduced the deficit. The 29th minute goal, though, came in fortunate circumstances when captain Pipob On-mo pounced on a rebound after Ekaphan Inthasen's initial shot was blocked by East Bengal goalkeeper Sandip Nandy. Two minutes before the interval, the scores were level as Adul's piledriver from the edge of the box gave Nandy no chance. 

The second period saw Chonburi not just dominate but also take the lead for the first time. It was Pipob once again who got his name on the score sheet, grabbing hi second in the 67th minute, and when midfielder Ekaphan increased the lead with an angled drive that went in via the inside of the post, the visitors were well and truly on the path to victory. It was not to be, though, as East Bengal fought their way back into the game. Substitute Baljit Sahni reduced arrears in the 75th minute when he exchanged passes with Robin Singh before firing home. 

Four minutes later another substitute Ravinder Singh kept his nerve to slot home a penalty, awarded after a Chonburi defender had tripped Robin Singh, and ensure a share of the spoils for East Bengal.