Nandhakumar Sekhar was the star performer on the night, bagging an astounding hat-trick within 70 minutes. His incredible speed, positions well taken, and finishing left the NorthEast defense watching. In the 15th minute, the first goal was a blistering shot from the inside of the box. Sekhar had made it 2-0 by the 33rd minute with a curling strike, and he completed his hat-trick early in the second half with an intelligent finish off a brilliant assist from Cleiton Silva.
Adding to NorthEast United’s misery, East Bengal’s Jordan O’Doherty administered his prowess in the midfield by providing the objective delivery to Silva for his fifth-minute record. In the 78th minute, Lalchungnunga headed a corner from the same defective defensive situation to seal the scoreline at 5-0 in favor of East Bengal. The superb ways of East Bengal’s striking power and watertight defense ensured the North East couldn’t find the net.
The defeat raised some serious questions for NorthEast United on the strategy. Despite having a strong start in the season, it seemed the team fell apart with poor communication in defense and a lack of creativity in attack. East Bengal’s manager Carles Cuadrat praised his team’s clinical and cohesive display. Coach Juan Pedro Benali admitted after the match, “It was a wake-up call for the squad. Adding to NorthEast United’s misery, East Bengal’s Jordan O’Doherty administered his prowess in the midfield by providing the objective delivery to Silva for his fifth-minute record. In the 78th minute, Lalchungnunga headed a corner from the same defective defensive situation to seal the scoreline at 5-0 in favor of East Bengal. The superb ways of East Bengal’s striking power and watertight defense ensured the North East couldn’t find the net.
Defeat has raised on several counts strategic questions for NorthEast United. It appeared that after a very enthusiastic start to the season, the team was losing quarters on account of some very poor communication within the defense and the lack of fluency in the attack. East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat complimented his men on their clinical and cohesive display. “It was a wake-up call for the boys,” Juan Pedro Benali remarked humbly in the media room.
