ISL 2025-26: Oscar Bruzon delighted after East Bengal's 3-1 victory over Chennaiyin FC

Bipin, Nandha seal three points against Chennaiyin FC.

East Bengal secured a hard-fought 3-1 win over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, with two late goals confirming the victory. Late goals from Bipin Singh and Nandhakumar Sekar delivered the goods for East Bengal FC, who take away full points from Chennai.

The Red and Gold Brigade took an early lead when Edmund Lalrindika found the back of the net with a fine finish in the seventh minute. Irfan Yadwad equalised before the half-hour mark with a chip over the head of Prabhsukhan Gill. Both sides had a plethora of chances to take the lead, but East Bengal found the crucial goal in the 83rd minute through Bipin Singh Thounaojam.

Nandhakumar Sekar added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the result for the visitors. Late away victory fires visitors ahead in the points table, while Chennaiyin’s search for their first home win continues. 

After the match against Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon and Nandhakumar Sekar have addressed the media. Here is a detailed report of the post-match press conference between East Bengal FC and Chennaiyin FC.

Oscar Bruzon on the first away win of the season

Oscar Bruzon was delighted after the 3-1 victory of East Bengal FC against Chennaiyin FC in Chennai. This was their first away game this season, and the Torchbearers have grabbed vital three points from the game to stay alive in the title race in this year’s truncated league.

Bruzon stated: “Hello, good evening everyone. Very satisfied with this away win, and we came here in Chennai with the intent to win and grab all three points from this match, and we have done that successfully today. Our players played really well today, very satisfied with their performance in this type of tough away game. We changed a few things in our game plan today that are clearly visible after we conceded the goal. Yes, it is a constant thing for us now, game after game, that after scoring the first goal, we also concede one, but today after that, we dominated the last 15 minutes in the first half, and defensively, we were very safe.”

“Also dominated the last 15 minutes in the second half as well, which helped us to win this match today in Chennai. In the second half, the game was more end-to-end, and I’m happy that today we’re able to capitalise on the chances that we have created in the last few minutes of the game.”

“Substituting Anwar just before the second half was part of our tactical plan, and it worked out positively for us today. Anwar was a bit tired as he was constantly playing for the club and the National team. Hopefully, he will get some rest in the next few days and will be fit before our next home game against Bengaluru FC.”

“We’re focusing more on the attack, so we went with three full-backs, made Rashid and Saul play more freely in the midfield as Irfan was attacking from the wings, and Noguera from the midfield, the plan was mainly for Noguera. After that, they were using Mandar from the wings, but by that time, we were dominating the game with our defence well settled. Our three-line attack provided the winning goals for us in the second half, especially Vishnu playing a crucial role, along with Miguel, Bipin and Youssef. He also added”

Controversy about Edmund’s Goal

Chennaiyin FC’s midfielder Elsinho lost possession of the ball in the middle of the pitch and went down claiming an injury. The referee gave an advantage to East Bengal, and the CFC defence was switched off. In the meantime, Crespo got the ball and played it through to Edmund, who had abundant time and space and scored the opener of the game advancing Nawaz and giving East Bengal the lead in the eighth minute of the game.

The Spaniard stated, “Yes, no coach would like to concede that kind of regulation goal at the beginning of the game, and that’s why Clifford was also not happy with the decision of the referee. It was absolutely a call from the referee to stop the game, but he gave an advantage, and Edmund scored the first goal. It was a 50-50 goal, but a legal one. Neither was it our fault nor theirs. I have worked with him in the Sporting Club de Goa for a long time, and have known him for quite a long time. He was so annoyed with that decision that he did not even come for the handshake after the game. I can understand the frustration of Clifford, he also added.”

Nandhakumar on scoring the winner on his homeground

Nandha stated: “It was a very important game for us, happy to score in front of the away fans of East Bengal and on my home ground here in Chennai. It always feels special to play here in Chennai and have your name in the scoresheet, but more importantly, we won the match and grabbed all three points from the away match, he also added.

“It is good that I am getting a chance to play, and I was also able to score today as well. Every game from hereon is like a final match for us, so the next game against Bengaluru FC will be an important match for us. Everyone, including all my teammates and the coaching staff, motivated me a lot during my tough days, he finished off.”

Update on Mahesh’s Injury

During the 65th minute of the game Mahesh was substituted back after sustaining an injury just minutes after coming on. Souvik Chakraborty took his place on the pitch. Oscar Bruzon updated on this issue in the post-match press conference.

Oscar stated, “Mahesh had an ankle twist. Initially, we thought that it would keep him out for some days. He will undergo a scan tomorrow; hopefully, the injury is not a serious one. After that, we will get to know the situation of Mahesh properly, he also added.

Oscar’s message for the travelling fans

A large number of Red and Gold fans gathered today at the Marina Arena to observe the victory of East Bengal against the home team Chennaiyin FC. Oscar Bruzon sent a heartfelt message for all the travelling fans of East Bengal in the post-match press conference.

The Gaffer stated: “After we arrived at our hotel before the match, they were present there in large numbers to cheer us. They were also very eager to win the match against Chennaiyin today. Their presence on the stands as the 12th man of the club helped us a lot to give that extra push on the ground and grab all three points for the team in an away game. They’re an important part of the game and the team as well. A big thank you to them for coming to the stadium in large numbers and showing their support, he finished off.

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