After a convincing 0-2 win over last season's runner-up NEROCA FC on matchday 1, East Bengal continued their winning form against Shillong Lajong FC, who were also looking for their second consecutive win, after causing an upset against arch-rivals Aizawl FC.
Quess East Bengal is on the hunt for their maiden I-League triumph in a year which could be their last appearance in the competition while the team from Meghalaya adopted an all Indian policy this year and is playing without a single foreigner.
In the 5pm kick off, it was Chennai City FC taking on Goa's Churchill Brothers FC a Coimbatore’s Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium. Chennai won their opening encounter at home against Indian Arrows 4-1 last week whereas Churchill took on defending champions Minerva in a 0-0 stalemate.
Shillong Lajong FC vs Quess East Bengal FC
It was an enthralling affair between the two teams as East Bengal ran away with a 3-1 win in Shillong. Man of the Match Jobby Justin grabbed a first half brace while Rakesh Pradhan grabbed a goal for Shillong before Bidyasagar Singh scored the third goal for the away side.
Shillong Lajong FC (4-4-2)
Lajong coach Alison Kharsyntiew played with the same XI that grabbed a win against Aizawl FC.
Quess East Bengal FC (4-4-2)
East Bengal's Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia chose to begin with Brandon Vanlalremdika in midfield in place of Yomi Longwah while the rest of the starting XI remained the same.
It was the home side who were on frontfoot in the opening stages as they pressed high and piled the pressure on East Bengal.
In the 12th minute, it was the away side that took the lead, quite against the run of play as Kerala striker Jobby Justin's well placed header from Ralte's left-footed free kick gave them the early goal. Not being taken aback by the early goal, the young Shillong side continued to press and pressurise East Bengal with a wave of attacks.
It was the high pressing that costed them in the 41st minute as Justin scored his second goal of the afternoon from a counter attack as Shillong left themselves exposed at the back.
After the break, with nothing to lose, Shillong continued their free flowing game as they created several chances but were lacking the end product. It was in the 71st minute when Shillong got a goal back as left wing back Rajesh Pradhan rose highest from a Hnamte corner and it gave the home side some hopes of a comeback. But all those hopes were soon shattered as Bidyasagar latched on to a poor back pass from Dameki to score the third goal for East Bengal and restoring their two goal advantage.
Up next Shillong will be taking on Indian Arrows on November 7 while league leaders East Bengal will be getting some extra days off as they will take on Chennai City at home on November 13.
Chennai City FC vs Churchill Brothers FC
It was a feisty affair between the two sides after three goals were scored in the second half. It looked like the home side would run away with the three points but an impressive second half performance by the awa y side resulted in a 2-2 stalemate in Chennai.
Chennai City FC (4-3-3)
Just a single change for the home side as Lourduswamy came in for for Akhand at centre back while the rest of the teams retained their place in the 4-3-3 formation.
Churchill Brothers (4-4-2)
There were two changes and a change in formation for the away side after their goalless draw against Minerva. Hangshing and Marshal were replaced by Poojary and Gurung in a 4-4-2 formation.
It was a dominating first half for the home side as they asserting their dominance throughout the half. The first goal was scored in the 9th minute by Gordillo who played a one-two with Pedro Manzi and fired the goal past Kithan.
After a frustrating first half, the visitors put in a much improved display as Novakovic scored from a corner in the 51st minute. A goalkeeping howler by Kabir in the Chennai City goal allowed the visitors to take the lead for the first time in the game in the 58th minute. A cross from the right by Clencio Pinto should have been easily claimed by the goalie but Kabir spilled the ball right into the feet of Israil Gurung who slammed the ball home.
It took the home side only four minutes to score the equaliser as Sandro Rondriguez's brilliant first touch allowed him to turn his marker and slot the ball past a helpless James Kithan. Up next for Chennai City are South Indian rivals Gokulam Kerala FC on November 4 while Churchill Brothers will be on the road against newly promoted Real Kashmir FC on November 6.
