Cleiton Silva ignited the celebrations with a spectacular finish, propelling East Bengal to a thrilling 3-2 victory over reigning champions Odisha FC in extra time, securing their inaugural Super Cup triumph.
In a captivating final at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, both teams battled fiercely, ending regular time deadlocked at 2-2. The intensity escalated with two players from each side receiving red cards, reducing both squads to 10 men.
Ultimately, East Bengal’s captain Cleiton seized the moment in the 111th minute, breaking the deadlock and ending their 12-year quest for a national club title.
Odisha FC initially seized control with a well-timed goal in the first half courtesy of Diego Mauricio. Despite East Bengal’s strong start, missed opportunities allowed Odisha to lead 1-0 at halftime.
However, East Bengal’s coach Carles Cuadrat’s strategic substitutions, including Naorem Mahesh Singh and Chnungunga, proved pivotal. Naorem’s precise pass set up Nandhakumar Sekar’s equalizer in the 52nd minute, before Saul Crespo converted a penalty in the 60th minute to give East Bengal the lead.
Despite East Bengal’s apparent dominance, a late penalty in injury time, converted by Ahmed Jahouh, leveled the score at 2-2, keeping Odisha in contention.
The dramatic encounter took another twist as East Bengal’s midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti received his second booking, reducing them to 10 men as well, evening the playing field once more in terms of personnel and goals.
The result
Final: East Bengal FC 3 (Nandhakumar 52, Saul Crespo 61-pen, Cleiton 111) bt Odisha FC 2 (Mauricio 39, Jahouh 97-pen)
