Bhutia returns to spearhead East Bengal march into semis

It’s not for nothing that his teammates call him the “Bhai” of Indian football. For Bhaichung Bhutia, it’s all about dictating terms to the opposition. He does that almost always and Sunday was no different, reports Abhishek Hore.

It’s not for nothing that his teammates call him the “Bhai” of Indian football. For Bhaichung Bhutia, it’s all about dictating terms to the opposition. He does that almost always and Sunday was no different.

Without a game since limping off during the red-and-gold brigade’s 8th round I-League match against Lajong FC more than a month ago, the fleet-footed veteran struck in the dying moments to help East Bengal beat JCT and set up a semifinal date with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the Hero Honda 31st Federation Cup.

Desperate to see him in action, the crowd got what they had been waiting for — for the past seven days —when coach Philippe de Rider replaced Alvito d Cunha with the India skipper in the 75th minute.

Seven minutes later, when a sliding Bhutia latched on to a Yusuf Yakubu cross to put the ball into the JCT net, stands in the Satindra Mohan Dev Memorial Stadium erupted.

Down to 10 men after Harmanjot Singh Khabra’s expulsion following a harsh tackle on Penn Orji, East Bengal needed a Bhutia special to see them through the difficult phase. The Sikkimese sniper obliged, not only his teammates, but also his fans. “The people of Silchar were expecting a lot and I am really happy to have scored the winning goal,” said Bhutia. “But then, I haven’t played for more than a month now due to injuries, and I am not supposed to play until I am fully fit, “ the striker said, referring to why he was not played in the first two matches.

In this crucial Group A match, East Bengal’s intentions were clear from the word go, but Khabra’s expulsion seemed to have disturbed their plans. But they continued to fight.

Viva, Salgaocar split points

In an inconsequential Group A match, Salgaocar and Viva Kerala played out a 1-1 draw. Ruben Senyo put Viva in lead when he struck after a defensive lapse.