Explore how East Bengal’s tenacity led to a stunning double comeback against Bengaluru, showcasing their fighting spirit in an unforgettable match.
Introduction:
The humid April air at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) was thick with more than just the pre-monsoon heat on Thursday night. As the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season approached its critical crescendo, Match 57 brought together two of the league’s most storied institutions in a clash that promised tactical intrigue and delivered raw, unadulterated drama. East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC played out a breathless 2-2 draw, a result that serves as a testament to the offensive firepower of both sides while simultaneously exposing the defensive frailties that have haunted their respective campaigns.
The Early Ambush and the Ashique Lightning Bolt
Bengaluru FC, under the astute tactical guidance of Gerard Zaragoza, arrived in Kolkata with a clear blueprint: exploit the high defensive line of the Red and Gold Brigade. The visitors didn’t wait to settle. From the opening whistle, the “Blues” bypassed the midfield with vertical passes, looking for the pace of their wingers. In the 12th minute, the plan spectacularly bore fruit. See also: Mohun Bagan Edge Punjab FC in 5-Goal Thriller
Following a turnover in the center circle, Sunil Chhetri—operating in a deeper, playmaker role—sprung a perfectly weighted through-ball into the path of Ashique Kuruniyan. Ashique, whose return to full fitness has been a major boost for the national side, showcased his blistering acceleration. He outpaced the East Bengal backline, cut inside his marker with a drop of the shoulder, and unleashed a low, driven strike that beat Prabhsukhan Gill at his near post. The silence that fell over the Salt Lake Stadium was momentary, replaced quickly by the frantic urgings of the home faithful.
Anwar Ali’s Aerial Redemption
East Bengal, however, are a side built on the resilient image of their coach, Carles Cuadrat. Rather than crumbling under the early pressure, they doubled down on their set-piece routines—an area where they have looked particularly dangerous this season. The equalizer arrived in the 21st minute, and it was a moment of technical brilliance from the back.
Saul Crespo swung in a pinpoint corner that bypassed the first line of the Bengaluru defense. Anwar Ali, ghosting toward the six-yard box, rose higher than Aleksandar Jovanovic to meet the ball with a thumping header. The ball rattled off the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line before Gurpreet Singh Sandhu could react. For Anwar, it was a moment of personal vindication, his defensive solidity finally matched by a crucial offensive contribution. At 1-1, the match transformed from a tactical chess match into a high-octane slugfest.
Suresh Wangjam and the Midfield Stranglehold
As the first half progressed, Bengaluru FC began to assert their dominance in the middle third. The duo of Suresh Singh Wangjam and Javi Hernandez operated with a telepathic understanding, frustrating East Bengal’s attempts to build from the back. Suresh, often the unsung hero of the Bengaluru engine room, decided to take matters into his own hands in the 39th minute.
Picking up a loose ball thirty yards from goal, Suresh drove forward into the space vacated by the East Bengal holding midfielders. Seeing Gill slightly off his line, he unleashed a swerving, dipping effort from distance. It was a goal of pure quality; the ball moved twice in the air before nestling into the top corner. It was Suresh’s third goal of the season, a career-best tally that highlights his evolution into a box-to-box threat. Bengaluru headed into the tunnel with a 2-1 lead, looking every bit the side that could ruin the party in Kolkata.
Saul Crespo and the Second-Half Resurrection
The halftime team talk from Cuadrat clearly resonated with the Red and Gold Brigade. They emerged for the second period with a renewed sense of urgency, pressing higher and forcing Bengaluru into uncharacteristic errors. The talismanic Saul Crespo, who had been the architect of the first goal, decided to become the executioner for the second.
In the 55th minute, a sweeping move involving Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nandhakumar Sekar carved open the Bengaluru defense. Mahesh’s cut-back found Crespo at the edge of the area. With the composure of a veteran, the Spaniard took one touch to eliminate the sliding challenge of Keziah Veendorp before curling a magnificent effort into the far post beyond the despairing reach of Gurpreet. The Salt Lake Stadium erupted, the “Red and Gold” sea sensing that a comeback victory was within their grasp.
Tactical Stalemate and the Battle of the Goalkeepers
With the score locked at 2-2, the final half-hour became a showcase for the two best goalkeepers in the country. Both sides threw caution to the wind, resulting in a frantic “basketball-style” end-to-end exchange. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu produced a world-class double save to deny Cleiton Silva from close range, while at the other end, Prabhsukhan Gill was equally heroic, tipping a goal-bound header from Jovanovic over the bar in the dying minutes.
The tactical substitutions from both benches sought to find a winner without leaving the back door open. Zaragoza introduced fresh legs in the form of Sivasakthi Narayanan, while Cuadrat looked to the aerial threat of Felicio Brown Forbes. However, the defensive units—led by Anwar Ali for East Bengal and Jovanovic for Bengaluru—held firm under immense pressure. The match ended with both sets of players collapsing in exhaustion, a fitting conclusion to a contest that demanded everything from every individual on the pitch.
Post-Match Reflections: A Point Earned or Two Lost?
As the dust settles on this 2-2 draw, both managers will likely experience a mixture of pride and frustration. For East Bengal, coming from behind twice against a side of Bengaluru’s caliber is a testament to their mental fortitude. Anwar Ali and Saul Crespo once again proved why they are the pillars of this “New East Bengal.” However, the ease with which they conceded in the first half will be a point of concern for Cuadrat as they push for a top-four finish.
For Bengaluru FC, the result feels like a missed opportunity. They had the lead twice and looked in control for large portions of the first half. Suresh Wangjam’s performance was world-class, but the inability to close out games after taking the lead has been a recurring theme for the Blues this season. As the race for the playoffs intensifies, these dropped points could prove costly. Nonetheless, for the neutral observer, the “Kolkata Seesaw” was a magnificent advertisement for the quality and intensity of the ISL in 2026.
