KINGFISHER EAST BENGAL CLUB with ASEAN CUP 2003

 

In 2003 at ASEAN CUP, East Bengal club got the invitation to play the tournament at Indonesia. It was a 12 team tournament and East Bengal was placed in Group D with Philippine Army XI of Philippines and BEC Tero Sasana FC of Thailand.
On 14th July East Bengal played their opening match against BEC Tero Sasana FC. East Bengal lost the match 1-0. On 16th July, in the second group match, East Bengal defeated Philippine Army XI by 6-0. Bhaichung Bhutia scored 5 goals with a hat-trick. The other goal was scored by Mahesh Gawli.
In the quarter final East Bengal faced Parsita Tangerang of Indonesia. On 21st July, East Bengal won the match by 2-1. Bhaichung Bhutia and Bijen Singh scored one goal each.
In the semi final on 24th July, East Bengal faced Petrokimia Putra of Indonesia. East Bengal won the match by 7-6 on Penalty shootout. In the regulation time and in extra time both the teams were locked at 1-1.  Bhaichung Bhutia scored the goal in the regulation time.
In the final on 26th July, East Bengal faced BEC Tero Sasana FC. East Bengal scripted history on 26  by becoming the first Indian club to win any Asian level football tournament when they demolished Thailand's BEC Terro Sasana 3-1 in the final of the LG ASEAN Cup in Jakarta.

The victory was even sweeter because BEC Terro is the champion club of Asia and had defeated East Bengal in the first league match of the tournament 1-0.

Burly Nigerian Mike Okoro opened the scoring for the red-gold brigade in the 30th minute, while Baichung Bhutia increased the tally in the 52nd minute before Alvito D'Cunha completed the rout in the 78th minute.

The lone goal for BEC Terro came in the 55th minute, through mid-fielder Anaikongopan.

. It was the biggest international tournament that any Indian Club has won so far. For East Bengal Bhaichung Bhutia, Mike Okoro and Alvito D’Cunha scored one goal each.
Bhaichung Bhutia was the top scorer of the tournament with 8 Goals.

CONGRATULATIONS East Bengal for winning the ASEAN Cup 2003. Wish you the best of luck in the coming tournaments!