For East Bengal FC fans, the 2024-25 Indian Super League season is turning into a season of bitter disappointment. After six matches, the storied club still has no points to celebrate. Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium added to their misery. Goals from Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall sealed the victory for Odisha, despite Dimitrios Diamantakos giving East Bengal a brief hope with his penalty conversion.

A Promising Start, A Crushing End

East Bengal looked strong in the opening half, playing with energy and creating several scoring opportunities. However, as soon as Roy Krishna struck to give Odisha FC the 1-0 lead, it felt like the air was sucked out of the team’s sails. That goal shifted the momentum entirely in Odisha’s favor, leaving East Bengal chasing the game, and their confidence seemed to unravel with each passing minute.

For the fans, who have waited eagerly for a resurgence under newly appointed coach Oscar Bruzon, this was another hard pill to swallow. The team had shown flashes of promise, moments where they controlled the game, created space, and looked dangerous, only to see it all slip away when it mattered most.

Oscar Bruzon’s Frustration

Oscar Bruzon, the man tasked with turning East Bengal’s fortunes around, was visibly frustrated. In the post-match press conference, he expressed disappointment, not just in the result but in the missed opportunities.

“We did a beautiful job in the game, creating most of the chances,” he said. “Odisha FC struggled to connect passes, and for a long time, they were just waiting for our mistakes to counterattack.” But one of those counterattacks, led by the ever-dangerous Roy Krishna, was enough to expose a gap in East Bengal’s defense. The Fijian striker’s speed proved decisive, as he found the space between the left-back and center-back to score.

Bruzon was quick to acknowledge the team’s effort but lamented their inability to finish off chances. “It’s a pity that we missed so many chances. The moment they got the 1-0, the game became much more difficult. They slowed the tempo, and we lost the momentum we had in the first half,” he added. His words echoed the sentiment of the fans, who have been left heartbroken by the team’s failure to capitalize on their opportunities.

A New Challenge Awaits: AFC Challenge League

For now, East Bengal will turn their attention away from the ISL and focus on the AFC Challenge League group stage, set to take place in Bhutan. It offers a chance for the team to regroup, refocus, and perhaps regain some much-needed confidence before they face their next ISL challenge. The break may be the respite the team needs, but it won’t erase the sting of their current ISL form.

Fans, however, will not have to wait long for East Bengal’s return to ISL action. The team faces a crucial match against Mohammedan SC on November 9. It’s a match that will hold even more weight now, with the team desperate to turn their season around.

The Fans’ Pain

For the passionate supporters of East Bengal, these moments are especially hard. Decades of rich history and triumphs have instilled pride, but this season has only brought anguish. The team’s struggles on the pitch mirror the emotional turmoil felt by their fans, who continue to show up week after week, hoping for a turnaround. Each missed chance, each lost point feels like another wound.

The love for East Bengal runs deep, and while the fans may be hurting, their unwavering loyalty remains. They hope that the brief respite provided by the AFC Challenge League will offer a spark, a turning point for a team that desperately needs it. The upcoming clash with Mohammedan SC may be the moment where the tides finally turn.

For now, though, East Bengal FC’s faithful can only wait, hearts heavy with disappointment, but still burning with hope for the future.

The post East Bengal FC’s Struggles Continue: Heartbreak in ISL 2024-25 Season first appeared on Indias News.