Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC: Noah shines, Anwar Ali falters and other talking points

The Blasters move on to the quarterfinals of the Kalinga Super Cup with an impressive 2-0 win.

Kerala Blasters FC booked their place in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 quarterfinals with a composed and clinical 2-0 win over East Bengal FC in Bhubaneswar. In a clash that promised fireworks between two of Indian football’s fiercest fan bases, it was the Blasters who held their nerve and shaped the contest on their terms.

The 2-0 win also meant that the defending Kalinga Super Cup champions were eliminated after an underwhelming performance. From a vintage return by Noah Sadaoui to East Bengal’s frustrating inefficiency in front of goal, here are the key takeaways from this round of 16 clash.

East Bengal FC missing their shooting boots

The Torchbearers started the match with intent, dominating possession early and getting into promising positions. However, that final touch deserted them and their attackers when it mattered most.

Chances came and went for Richard Celis, and notably Dimitrios Diamantakos but none found the breakthrough that the Torchbearers were searching for. It was a tough night for East Bengal FC attackers as they just couldn’t get the ball in control over the 90 minutes.

But on this night, the goals dried up, and the frustration visibly grew among Oscar Bruzon’s men.

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Noah Sadaoui’s emphatic return and finish

Kerala Blasters FC fans had every reason to be thrilled with Noah Sadaoui’s performance. The tricky winger, returning from injury, looked sharp from the start and capped his comeback with a thumping finish in the 64th minute.

Cutting in after a scintilating, Sadaoui unleashed a fierce strike past the diving East Bengal goalkeeper, a goal that showcased his technical quality as the ball rifled into the roof of the net. More than just the goal, Noah brought rhythm and unpredictability to Kerala Blasters FC’s attack.

While constantly dragging defenders out of position and linked up well with his teammates, giving the East Bengal FC backline a torrid time. His presence turned out to be the X-factor that Kerala Blasters FC needed to tilt the game in their favour.

Kerala Blasters FC’s midfield controlled the tempo in the game

If the forwards delivered the goals, the midfield laid the foundation. Kerala Blasters FC’s central trio of Dusan Lagator, Danish Farooq, and Vibin Mohanan worked tirelessly to shut down East Bengal’s creative outlets.

Richard Celis, who thrives on spaces between the lines, was kept silent for most of the night thanks to Lagator’s disciplined marking and Vibin’s intelligent interceptions breaking down their attacks.The Blasters’ ability to transition quickly from attack to defense neutralized East Bengal FC’s press and allowed Kerala Blasters FC to dictate the tempo after going ahead.

Coach David Catalá’s tactical setup was spot on, allowing his side to conserve energy, defend compactly, and break with purpose through Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna.

With a spot in the quarterfinals secured, Kerala Blasters FC will now look to carry this momentum into their next clash. For East Bengal FC, it’s another bitter exit and a night that will be remembered more for missed chances as the defending champions bowed out.

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