
East Bengal’s 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign has gotten off to a disheartening start, culminating in a 2-0 defeat against Jamshedpur FC on Saturday, October 5. The loss, which marked the fourth consecutive defeat for the Red & Gold Brigade, placed significant pressure on Bino George, who assumed responsibility for the team following the resignation of Carles Cuadrat.
In the encounter, East Bengal exhibited a commendable level of possession, dominating the ball for the majority of the match. However, despite their efforts, the team’s inability to convert opportunities into goals proved to be their undoing. Jamshedpur’s Rei Tachikawa found the net, and an unfortunate own goal from Lalchungnunga sealed the victory for the hosts.
After the match, Bino George remained steadfast in his belief in the team’s potential, expressing pride in their performance despite the unfavourable result. “This is football. If you analyze the first half on paper, they had 73% ball possession. We played a lot of good games, but we didn’t get the goals yet,” he remarked, reflecting on the team’s performance.
George emphasized the spirit displayed by the East Bengal players, noting their attempts to recover from adversity during the match. “The spirit that East Bengal showed was good, and we demonstrated that in our attempts to come back. We have some gaps, so hopefully we can come fresh out of the international break. Luck is also a factor. We struck the crossbar in the second half, and their goalkeeper produced an outstanding performance. So those factors matter,” he elaborated.
Currently, East Bengal stands as the only team in the ISL yet to secure a point this season, trailing five points behind the coveted top six, which would grant them a playoff spot. Nonetheless, Bino George exuded optimism about the team’s prospects. “If you see this performance, then we only lacked goals today. Compared to the last three matches, we played more attacking football. We started the game in an attacking style and created a lot of chances,” he asserted.
With a long season ahead, George remains confident in East Bengal’s potential to claw their way back into contention for the playoffs. “We’ve only played four games still; there are a lot of matches left in the ISL season. I 100% believe East Bengal can get into the top-six playoff spot. That is my word to you,” he vowed.
However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, as East Bengal’s next fixture pits them against fierce rivals Mohun Bagan on October 19. This encounter could potentially see the arrival of a new head coach, should the club choose to make a managerial change before the much-anticipated derby.
In summary, while East Bengal’s current situation appears bleak, Bino George’s commitment to improving the team’s performance and securing a playoff berth keeps hope alive for fans and players alike. The coming weeks will be critical as the club seeks to turn their fortunes around and reclaim their place among the league’s elite.