SC East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumder helped the Kolkata side nullify a one-man advantage to Chennaiyin ending up with a vital point in the Indian Super League at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim, Goa on Monday.
Robbie Fowler’s side was forced to play with a man down for almost over an hour after Ajay Chettri received his marching orders at the half-hour mark. However, SCEB held their ground throughout the game to frustrate Chennaiyin.
SCEB now extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
SCEB soon found themselves on the backfoot at the half-hour mark when Ajay received his second booking for a foul on Rahim Ali, reducing them to 10 men. This was the third time this season that Fowler’s side had received a red card.
SCEB managed to keep their opponents at bay for the rest of the half, as the teams walked out even at the break.
East Bengal looked threatening after the restart and should have found the back of the net when Pilkington hit the side netting from a tight angle. Then, Debjit pulled off a stunning save to deny Isma from the edge of the box to keep the scores level. At the other end, the Chennaiyin defence was caught napping as a long free-kick saw Pilkington try his luck, but Vishal Kaith made a fine block.
SCEB were saved again by Debjit when the custodian cleared the ball in time, coming off the line to deny Rahim. He later showed good reflexes to get a strong hand to Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal-bound shot.
