[WATCH] Madih Talal's stunning free-kick against Downtown Heroes in Durand Cup 2024

Madih Talal helped the Torchbearers script their second successive victory in Group A. 

East Bengal defeated Kashmiri side Downtown Heroes in a 3-1 victory at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in the Durand Cup on Wednesday. The Red and Gold Brigade started with a strong squad, with their marquee signing and ISL 2023-24’s record assist-provide, Madih Talal starting.

Other notable players included Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo, Syrian defender Hijazi Maher, and Indian talents Prabhsukhan Gill and Naorem Mahesh Singh. The Syrian centre-half rose highest as a corner kick floated towards him in the 15th minute and almost scored with a well-controlled header, but Umaid Mugloo was well positioned to smother the attempt. 

Talal scored on his first outing with the side in exquisite fashion as the Frenchman took a short run-up from a free-kick and curled a right-footed screamer into the bottom corner from 25 yards out and left the entire defense shell-shocked. Questions could be raised about Mugloo’s goalkeeping as he hesitated before committing to a side, but Talal’s goal was undoubtedly one of the best scored by any debutant in Red and Gold so far. 

David Lalhsanga was almost set by Mahesh with an inch-perfect ball across the goal only two minutes later, but Mugloo didn’t falter this time. Downtown Heroes capitalized on the disarray as East Bengal were waiting for the referee to check for a potential penalty. But Prabhsukhan saw out Shahmeer Tariq’s attempt from outside the box as it whistled wide of the outside post.

However, the Kashmiri outfit drew level at the half-hour mark as Imad Ud Din headed a cross onto Afreen Basharat’s path and Mohammad Rakip’s inability to deal with it saw the midfielder turn it into the goal. 

East Bengal replied in a short while as PV Vishnu was brought down inside the penalty area by a desperate Iqlak Fayaz. Spanish midfield deputy Saul Crespo stepped up with a stuttering run-up as he converted the resultant spot kick. Hijazi Maher missed another chance to score again at the hour mark as the Red and Gold Brigade had a clear 1v3 opportunity after an indirect free-kick from Mahesh Singh.

Downtown Heroes were frustrated as they kept giving away fouls. On one such instance, Ajath Sahim executed Ronaldinho’s signature drag-back-fake perfectly before ghosting past three defenders and being brought down by a rash Hyder Yousuf challenge. The centre-back was subsequently sent off as his side would contest the closing stages with only 10 men.

The Torchbearers weren’t done as Jesin TK turned a defender inside and out before finishing emphatically with his left foot and burying the last goal of the night. The win took East Bengal above archrivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant and nestled them at the top of a difficult Group A.

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