I-league

Willis Plaza scores on his debut, as East Bengal beat DSK Shivajians 2-1 away

by January 14, 2017

Willis Plaza
Balewadi Stadium, 14 January 2017: DSK Shivajians stumbled to a 2-1 defeat against East Bengal, in their first home match of the season. It was the away side, who took the lead from the spot via Wedson Anselme. The hosts, DSK Shivajians got themselves back in the match courtesy of Gouramangi Singh‘s 64th-minute goal, but a goal on the 80th minutes from East Bengal debutante Willis Plaza proved enough to get the visitors over the line at full-time.
East Bengal Manager, Trevor Morgan made four changes to the side which featured in the 1-1 draw against Aizwal FC, in the opening round; goalscorer from the match, Ugandan, Ivan Bukenya started along with forwards Willis Plaza, Thongkhosiem Haokip and (Under-22) Nikhil Poojary, as the away team lined-up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. A change in captaincy meant midfielder Lalrindika Ralte was handed the captain’s armband.
The home-side, DSK Shivajians, who lined-up in a 3-4-3 shape, made four changes for their opening home match of the season bringing in defenders Nirmal Chettri and Gouramangi Singh to face a new-look attack of East Bengal. Manager David Rogers gave forward Holicharan Narzary a chance up-front, and accompanying him was 19-year-old Lallianzuala Chhangte for an attack.
DSK Shivajians found the first site on-goal, around the sixth-minute mark. A long-throw from Sasa Kolunija was met with an overhead attempt by Lallianzuala from inside the box, but the no.7’s attempt went off-target. Just a minute later, DSK Shivajians were back paddling, and escaped letting in an opening goal; as Willis Plaza’s attempt was cleared off the goal-line by TX Kolunija.
While DSK Shivajians enjoyed more chances, East Bengal was comfortable attacking the loose balls – and was intelligent at finding pockets of spaces, during the first-15 minutes of play. On a similar occasion, East Bengal’s Wedson Anselme was found with a neat through pass in behind the DSK Shivajians defence; goalkeeper Anganba was instinctual to close down the East Bengal forward, but caught the player instead of the ball, in his attempt. Referee Venkatesh R. had no option, but to award the away team a penalty, which Anselme converted on 14 minutes, putting the ball straight down the middle.
As both sides looked intent on attacking from the offset, the game witnessed open attacking football throughout the first-45 minutes. East Bengal was growing into the game with every passing minute, managing to create a host of goal bound opportunities. But an excellent display in-goal from Anganba for DSK Shivajians kept the hosts in the game, as the two-sided headed into the halftime break at 1-0.
As both sides came out in the second-half, DSK Shivajians made two changes at half-time; (Under-22) Jerry Lalrinzuala and Ongnam Milan Singh came in for Narzary and Pradhan respectively.
DSK Shivajians began the second-half proceedings in a similar fashion as they did during the first-45 minutes; Mawihmingthanga’s shot, three minutes into the half, produced a last-ditch save from Rehenesh TP to keep the ball from going in.
After a dominating first five minute, East Bengal fancied a set of chances of their own, forcing DSK Shivajians goalkeeper in a hat-full of occasions. The visitors continued to put pressure on the break for a second goal, as DSK Shivajians kept possession.
DSK vs East bengal fan crowd

DSK vs East Bengal: Fan Crowd

Around the hour mark, East Bengal brought in fresh legs in Robin Singh and Robin Gurung, who replaced Haokip and Poojary; resulting in a change of shape to 4-3-3. Soon after the substitutions, DSK equalised through Gouramangi Singh Mairangthem in the 64th minute. DSK Shivajians’ Spanish midfielder Juan Quero’s corner met Kim Song Young’s headed effort, which was parried away by Rehenesh, but Mairangthem produced a fine attempt to equalise for the home team.
In the aftermath of the equalising goal, DSK Shivajians’ seemed to be on the right side of matters, with the game heading into the final twenty minutes. Manager Morgan used his last available substitution when Jackichand Singh replaced East Bengal goalscorer Wedson Anselme.
A change in shape, this time to a 4-4-2 diamond, for East Bengal resulted in a well-crafted goal on the break through no.9 Willis Plaza; the Trinidad and Tobago international had a couple of good chances in the first-half but failed to capitalise. This time, Plaza made no error, putting his side 2-1 up on 80 minutes, in a 2v2 chance.
(Under-22) Rohit Kumar was introduced by manager Rogers in place of goalscorer Gouramangi Singh on 87 minutes, in the hosts’ bid for one last gasp attempt to get back in the match. The substitution made little impact to the full-time result, in the end, as East Bengal recorded their first win of the Hero I-League season.

SSE BFC Trials

Recommended / Trials

SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players

SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…

Share

India Khelo Football / Trials

India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here

India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…

Share
To maximize your chances in Football trials, approach it based on your playing position while keeping in mind the pre-trial factors

Feature / Recommended / Trials

Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind

Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.

Share

Trials

Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign

Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…

Share

Trials / Women Football

BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls

The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…

Share

Trials

Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team

Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…

Share

The Sunday League / Trials

The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back

The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…

Share

Trials

BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb

Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE).  Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…

Share

India Khelo Football / Trials

India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career

After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…

Share
Mumbai Customs

MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials

Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League

Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…

Share