East Bengal vs Nejmeh SC Player Ratings: Diamantakos, Talal shine in East Bengal's victory | AFC Challenge League 2024

East Bengal qualified as table toppers to quarter-finals.

East Bengal marched into the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 AFC Challenge League with a thrilling 3-2 win over Al-Nejmeh SC in their final group game. It was a highly eventful game in which the Red & Gold Brigade showcased incredible resolve to scratch all three points.

They started the game in an exhilarating fashion, taking an eight-minute lead thanks to an own goal from Baba Abdulai Musah. Dimitrios Diamantakos then scored the second six minutes later to give his side a resounding lead. But Nejmeh would not back out like that.

They fought hard to make it 2-2 thanks to goals from Collins Opare (18’) and Hussein Monzer (42’). But it was East Bengal who showed the desire to go the extra mile in the second half, as Diamantakos’ penalty in the 76th minute made the difference to help East Bengal top Group A and move onto the next round. Here are the East Bengal Player Ratings from the game.

Prabhsukhan Gill – 6.0

Prabhsukhan could’ve done better for the first goal in closing down the angle better. Couldn’t do much about the free-kick, but made a few sharp saves apart from that.

Anwar Ali – 6.5

Anwar did a relatively decent job in the right-back role, not allowing Nejmeh to create that many attacks down his side. Moved to centre-back in the second half and was ousted on a few occasions, but also came up with vital clearances when his side needed him.

Hector Yuste – 4.0

Yuste was flustered by the Nejmeh attackers’ pace and movement. He couldn’t track the run of his man for their opening goal and was constantly caught out of position during their attacks. Gave away the free-kick that resulted in their equalizer. Looked to be struggling with a niggle all game long and was taken off early in the second half.

Hijazi Maher – 6.5

Maher tried his best to hold a secure backline in a volatile game. His positioning at times was a bit erroneous, but the defender read the moves well to make several crucial clearances.

Lalchhungnunga – 4.5

Lalchhununga is not a natural left-back and Nejmeh capitalized on that. They created most of the chances through his side and he was often left panting and in bad positions.

Sauvik Chakraborti – 7.0

Souvik held his own against the intimidating foreign opponents and did his job well in screening above the backline. He worked hard in covering a lot of distance to cut out Nejmeh’s supply chain in the central areas by filling the gaps nicely and won a few key duels too.

Saul Crespo – 7.5

Crespo made things easier for Souvik by being a proactive figure in midfield who took a lot of responsibilities. He pressed the opposition players nicely, made many key challenges and also played forward passes expertly to help his side with their quick breaks.

Madih Talal – 7.5

Talal was devoted to creating things for his side and did so rather valiantly. It was his dangerous corner that got converted into an own goal, after which Talal missed an open-goal chance in the first half. But he made up by creating a few nice chances and then winning the vital penalty.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 7.0

Mahesh Singh finally found his groove in this big continental game and troubled defenders with his movement from the get-go. He provided a brilliant assist for Diamantakos’ first goal with a crisp pass. Still lacking his finishing boots, but worked hard to help add more fire to his side’s attack.

Nandhakumar Sekar – 6.5

Nandha was probably not as clinical as he was in the last match but showed a great work rate in helping his side maintain their shape. Missed a few chances, but he was energetic in helping his side defensively and frustrating the opposition players.

Dimitrios Diamantakos – 9.0

Diamantakos continued his amazing form for East Bengal with a highly clinical performance. He was in the right place to tap in his first goal and tormented the defenders with his movement. Showed nerves of steel by slotting home the penalty to win his side the game.

Substitutes

Mohammad Rakip – 7.0

Rakip helped add more steel to his side after coming on for Yuste. Defensively stubborn on the right and made some vital tackles, including one to deny a late goal-scoring chance.

Jeakson Singh – 6.5

Jeakson helped add more protection to his side’s backline, helping them see the result.

Cleiton Silva – N/R

Covered quite a lot of distance late on but couldn’t get to the end of any chances.

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