Do-Dong Hyun may change colours in the I-League

The South Korean’s future at East Bengal is uncertain and other clubs are in the fray for his signature...

East Bengal’s Korean dynamite Do-Dong Hyun who had an uninspiring campaign in last year’s Calcutta Football League in his debut season in Kolkata is all set to be released by the club ahead of the new I-League campaign. Post last year’s CFL campaign where he had begun on a roll with a tally of 12 goals from 10 matches. The forward lost his form completely in the I-League and was made to sit out in a few matches by then coach Biswajit Bhattacharya. By then, Dong had become a superstar in the eyes of the Red and Gold supporters and keeping in mind Dong’s age, East Bengal officials hurried a bit to extend his contract for three more years. This was the beginning of all the problems. When Dong signed the mutual contract with East Bengal, he was not at all tested in the I-League as he was judged on his performance in the CFL. Dong suffered a knee injury post the CFL which kept him out of the game for a few months and his return to the I-League squad was not smooth as he lost his rhythm and put himself into many unnecessary controversies. The South Korean did score a brace in the Kolkata Derby and gained a little confidence but he was inconsistent throughout the league. He scored a brilliant goal against Bengaluru FC at the Kanteerava Stadium which was adjudged as one of the best goals of the season. Dong’s poor form continued and he looked out of sorts in the Federation Cup. The drama did not end there as after the season got over coach Trevor Morgan made it clear to the officials that Dong was not part of his plans. Dong usually a right winger, played as a second striker under Biswajit Bhattacharya where he was successful in the CFL, but failed miserably in the I-league apart from the derby and the match against BFC. The probable list of 30 which Morgan had submitted at the beginning of the season did not have Dong. But club officials were helpless to release him as he had a three-year contract and if he is released in the middle of the season the club would have to pay a huge compensation. After a lot of dilemma a new contract was agreed with Dong on a one-year-term. This season, the Korean’s performance graph kept on decreasing as he failed to gain Morgan’s faith and after East Bengal’s 7th consecutive CFL triumph the manager had made it clear that Dong is still unable to fit into his combination. The club officials this time agreed with Morgan and decided to release Dong. His agent has been called upon to discuss the contract clause and they are also in talks to settle Dong’s future in the I-league with a few clubs in the fray for his signature. Photo © Ajay ( Thif Media )