In the inaugural fixture of the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) season, East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC played out a thrilling goalless draw at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Despite the absence of goals, the match was a captivating display of end-to-end action that left fans entertained.

Under the guidance of Spanish head coach Carles Cuadrat, East Bengal FC showcased a well-coordinated performance. Their attacking maneuvers were fluid and, at times, flawless as they relentlessly targeted Jamshedpur FC’s goal.

The midfield duo of Saul Crespo and Borja Herrera dominated the center of the pitch, with Souvik Chakrabarti providing precise distribution to the flanks, where wingers Nanda Kumar and Naorem Mahesh Singh delivered numerous testing crosses to forward Javier Siverio. Despite his sharpness, Siverio was often unable to convert the multiple goal-scoring opportunities created by his teammates.

East Bengal FC’s seasoned full-back pairing of Mandar Rao Dessai and Nishu Kumar contributed both defensively and offensively, adding pace and creativity to the team’s wing play.

On the other side, Jamshedpur FC adapted their strategy to match the game’s momentum. They occasionally resorted to counterattacks but ensured their offensive efforts remained potent. Daniel Chima Chukwu impressed with his dynamic movements up front, linking up well with his teammates to breach East Bengal FC’s midfield lines during counterattacks. Scott Cooper’s team explored various avenues to break the deadlock, initially focusing on midfield dominance and later shifting their attention to wide play, with Swiss midfielder Alen Stevanovic playing a pivotal role.

Both teams attempted long-range shots, with Pronay Halder trying his luck for Jamshedpur and similar efforts from Mahesh and Crespo for East Bengal, but none managed to find the back of the net.

The standout performer of the match was Jamshedpur FC’s goalkeeper, Rehenesh TP, who made critical saves to keep his team in the game, particularly in the first half. Rehenesh showcased composure and completed 12 passes throughout the match.