A football earthquake hit Bambolim as East Bengal FC delivered a stunning 4-0 thrashing of Chennaiyin FC in their AIFF Super Cup clash. The Red and Golds transformed their must-win situation into a masterclass performance that left fans speechless.
Match Lineups That Set the Stage
Both teams fielded strong starting elevens for this critical Group A encounter:
Chennaiyin FC Starting XI
- Nawaz (GK)
- Laldinpuia, Mandar (C), Pritam, Vignesh, Raj
- Jitendra, Hnamte, Jiteshwor
- Irfan, Farukh
East Bengal Starting XI
- Gill (GK)
- Anwar, Sibille, Rakip, Jay
- Miguel, Mahesh, Saul (C), Rashid, Bipin
- Ahadad
How the Carnage Unfolded
East Bengal entered the match needing victory after their opening 2-2 draw against Dempo SC. Chennaiyin hoped to rebound from their 0-2 loss to Mohun Bagan. What followed exceeded all expectations.
First Half Fireworks
The Kolkata giants struck early and often:
- 15′ – Mahesh Singh opened scoring with clinical finish
- 28′ – Captain Saul doubled lead with powerful header
- 41′ – Bipin Singh made it 3-0 before halftime
Second Half Domination
Chennaiyin’s defense collapsed completely after the break:
- 63′ – Miguel Figueira sealed victory with fourth goal
- 78′ – East Bengal nearly scored fifth off corner kick
- 89′ – Chennaiyin’s Farukh missed consolation chance
Key Match Statistics
| Metric | East Bengal | Chennaiyin |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 2 |
| Corners | 7 | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 19 |
What This Result Means
The comprehensive victory completely changes Group A dynamics:
- East Bengal jumps to second place with 4 points
- Chennaiyin faces elimination after second straight loss
- Goal difference becomes crucial for semifinal qualification
Post-Match Reactions
East Bengal coach couldn’t hide his delight: “This shows our true quality. After the Dempo draw, people doubted us. Today we answered with football.”
Chennaiyin’s Clifford Miranda looked stunned: “We’ll review everything. This performance was unacceptable at this level.”
Historical Context of the Rivalry
This blowout adds new chapter to their competitive history:
| Matches | East Bengal Wins | Chennaiyin Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Where to Watch Replays
Missed the action? Catch full match replay on AIFF’s YouTube channel. Highlights available on Indian Super League’s official platforms.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
East Bengal faces Mohun Bagan in decisive final group match. Chennaiyin plays Dempo SC in dead rubber, having been mathematically eliminated after this crushing defeat.
This shocking result proves why football remains India’s most unpredictable sport. When East Bengal clicks, they can destroy any opponent. For Chennaiyin, serious questions await about team composition and strategy.
