Looking back at East Bengal’s ASEAN Cup win

The ASEAN Cup victory remains the best triumph for an Indian side in Asia.

East Bengal have been going through a rough patch since their arrival in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2020. With that being said, one thing that can’t be doubted is their ability to keep Indian Football’s name in bright light in Asia.

The Red & Gold Brigade have featured in Asian competitions on multiple occasions in their star-studded history. They’ve played in the AFC Cup on eight occasions, with their best finish coming in the 2013 edition when East Bengal went all the way to the semi-finals.

They have played in the Asian Club Championship (now rebranded as AFC Champions League) in the 1980s as well. But East Bengal’s best-ever result in an Asian competition was back in 2003, when they played in the ASEAN Club Championship or to be precise ASEAN Cup.

Even though the competition is now cancelled, it was created in 2003 for champion clubs from the ASEAN Football Federation – which includes nations like Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia. East Bengal was a special invitee in the tournament after having won the National Football League title in the 2002-03 season.

East Bengal’s performance in the group stages

Initially, 12 teams were set to participate in the 2003 ASEAN Cup. However, the Burmese side Finance and Revenue dropped out before they played a single game. East Bengal were placed in the same group as Thai League 1 (top division) runners-up BEC Tero Sasana and Philippine Army.

They suffered a narrow loss to the Thai League heavyweights due to an 86th-minute winner. However, the Subhash Bhowmick-led side roared back in their second game against the Burmese side – picking up a huge 6-0 win!

Bhaichung Bhutia scored five goals, shattering all early goal records in the championship and Mahesh Gawli also scored a penalty to cap off a statement-making victory. This win allowed East Bengal to progress to the knockout stages thanks to their impressive goal difference.

How East Bengal defied the odds in the knockout rounds

In the quarter-finals, East Bengal were paired up against Indonesian side Perstia Tangerang. They had come into the ASEAN Cup after finishing as runners-up in the 2002 Indonesia Premier Division. They had a number of quality Indonesian players at the time and put the Red & Gold Brigade under pressure from the get-go.

After a competitive first half, East Bengal gained control and got the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a clinical strike from Bhutia. Their lead, however, was short-lived as they conceded a penalty 10 minutes later, which was converted by Illham Jaya Kesuma. But instead of going defensive, Bhowmick urged his side to pile the pressure and go for the winner.

East Bengal’s persistence paid off, as Bijen Singh scored in the 77th minute and they were able to hold onto the lead to book a place in the semi-finals. Here, they would meet the reigning Indonesian champions Petrokimia Putra – a step above their previous opponents.

The Red & Gold Brigade were put under intense pressure from the get-go as their opponents proved to be much more difficult to defend against. The Indonesia heavyweights ended up taking the lead through winger Jaenal Ichwan in the 23rd minute to take control of the game.

After a difficult first half in which they were ousted, Bhowmick’s half-time team talk worked wonders on the players. East Bengal came out a much more confident side in the second half and troubled the opponents with slick attacking moves.

Ultimately, it was their hero Bhaichung who got the equalizer with a well-taken effort in the 58th minute to bring the game level. The East Bengal players fortified their backline much better after that and refused to let Petrokimia Putra break them. Ultimately, extra time was forced – where the two teams grew visibly tired after an exhausting game.

Neither was able to score a goal, meaning that the semis would be decided in a penalty shootout. What followed was one of the most nail-biting shootouts an Indian side would be involved in an Asian tournament. Both sides converted their first three penalties, before East Bengal forward Shylo Malsawmtluanga saw his effort denied by the opposition goalkeeper.

As elimination stared East Bengal in the face, Sandeep Nandy turned hero by saving Sasi Kirono’s penalty to keep his side in the game. Bhowmick’s side converted their four penalties after Mama’s miss, before Nandy denied opposition player Loko to win the game and sent his side to the final.

East Bengal’s masterplan that ousted BEC Tero Sasana in the final

East Bengal would meet old foe BEC Tero Sasana in the final after losing to them in the group stages. Tero had dominated their way to the final and were overwhelming favourites. However, Bhowmick had created a special plan devised to catch the Thailand heavyweights off their guard.

The gaffer fielded a 3-5-2 formation, which gave East Bengal solid defensive cover and the ability to hit on the counter-attack too! BEC Tero Sasana were frustrated from the get-go and often let their guards down while piling men forward. Their loss of concentration allowed the Indian side to pounce, as striker Mike Okoro scored the opener in the 28th minute.

Bhaichung doubled the lead with a well-taken strike in the 47th minute, leaving the Thai side reeling. However, Tero were intent on making a comeback and got one back in the 58th minute through Panai Kongrapun. Just as tensions piled in the East Bengal dug-out, midfielder Alvito D’Cunha produced a sensational strike 10 minutes later.

That was the knockout blow for the Thai heavyweights, who couldn’t give any reply to that. East Bengal were crowned as the first-ever ASEAN Champions, with Bhaichung winning the Golden Boot as well. East Bengal’s triumph in Asia is yet to be matched by anyone else as Indian football keeps looking for the next side that can win an Asian trophy.

Picture Courtesy: AFP