2003–04 East Bengal F.C. season

The 2003–04 season is East Bengal Football Club's 8th season in the National Football League, and also marks the club's 90th season. East Bengal successfully defended their league title from the previous season, competing in the 2003-04 NFL. They have also won the 2003 Calcutta Football League and the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship. They became runners-up in the 2003 Super Cup, 2003 Durand Cup and 2003 IFA Shield.

East Bengal
2003–04 season
ChairmanDr Pranab Dasgupta
ManagerSubhash Bhowmick
GroundSalt Lake Stadium
National Football LeagueChampions[1]
Calcutta Premier DivisionChampions[2]
Federation CupQuarter Finals[3]
Super CupRunners-up[4]
ASEAN CupChampions
Durand CupRunners-up[5]
IFA ShieldRunners-up[6]

First-team squad

East Bengal FC squad for the 2003–04 season.[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  IND Sangram Mukherjee
2 DF  IND M Suresh
3 DF  IND Deepak Mondal
4 DF  IND Mahesh Gawli
5 MF  IND Malsawmtluanga
6 MF  IND Kulothungan
8 MF  IND Sasthi Duley
9 MF  IND Alvito D'Cunha
10 FW  IND Mike Okoro
11 FW  IND Bijen Singh
12 FW  IND Bhaichung Bhutia
13 GK  IND Sandip Nandy
14 MF  IND Chandan Das
15 MF  IND Douglas Silva
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF  IND Debjit Ghosh
17 DF  IND Surkumar Singh (c)
18 MF  IND Subhash Chakraborty
19 FW  IND Raman Vijayan
22 DF  IND Suley Musah
26 FW  IND Cristiano Júnior
— GK  IND Arpan Dey
— GK  IND Jitu Chhetri
— DF  IND Surya Bikash Chakraborty
— DF  IND Subhashish Roy Choudhury
— DF  IND Anit Ghosh
— MF  IND Dipankar Roy
— MF  IND Sujoy Dutta
— MF  IND Arunava Sarkar
— MF  IND Tushar Rakshit
  • Coach: Subhash Bhowmick[7]
  • Physical Trainer: Kevin Jackson
  • Team Doctor: Dr. S R Dasgupta
  • Team Manager: Swapan Ball

Stadiums

Kingfisher East Bengal F.C. have been using both the Salt Lake Stadium and the East Bengal Ground sense Salt Lake Stadium opened in 1984. As of today the Salt Lake Stadium is used for East Bengal's I-League, AFC Cup, and Federation Cup games. The East Bengal Ground is used for the Calcutta Football League matches.

Competetions

Overall
Competition First match Last match Final Position
Calcutta Football League 20 June 2003 2 November 2003 Champions
ASEAN Cup 14 July 2003 26 July 2003 Champions
Federation Cup 31 July 2003 4 August 2003 Quarter Finals
IFA Shield 20 September 2003 28 September 2003 Runners-up
Durand Cup 4 November 2003 10 November 2003 Runners-up
Super Cup 14 November 2003 Runners-up
National Football League 30 November 2003 12 May 2004 Champions

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

Calcutta Football League
20 June 2003 1 East Bengal 4–1 Eastern Railway F.C. Kolkata
Surkumar Singh  1', 81'
Debjit Ghosh  38'
Bhaichung Bhutia  41'		 Henry Odogo  62' Stadium: East Bengal Ground
23 June 2003 2 East Bengal 3–0 West Bengal Police Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  15'
Alvito D'Cunha  35', 89'		 Stadium: East Bengal Ground
30 June 2003 3 East Bengal 3–0 Wari AC Kolkata
Suley Musah  52', 68', 80' Stadium: East Bengal Ground
2 July 2003 4 East Bengal 3–0 Mohammedan AC Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  42', 71'
Alvito D'Cunha  77'		 Stadium: East Bengal Ground
5 July 2003 5 East Bengal 3–0 Mohun Bagan Kolkata
Suley Musah  23'
Bhaichung Bhutia  68', 83'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
11 August 2003 6 East Bengal 2–1 Everready Association Kolkata
Douglas De Silva  37'
Bhaichung Bhutia  70'		 Ernest Jeremiah  47' Stadium: East Bengal Ground
16 August 2003 7 East Bengal 2–0 Tollygunge Agragami Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  78', 79' Stadium: East Bengal Ground
19 August 2003 8 East Bengal 5–0 Bharati Sangha Kolkata
Mike Okoro  9', 71'
Suley Musah  30', 40'
Malsawmtluanga  60'		 Stadium: East Bengal Ground
23 August 2003 9 East Bengal 4–1 Mohammedan Sporting Kolkata
Mike Okoro  36', 40'
Bijen Singh  67'
Surkumar Singh  86'		 Dipendu Biswas  83' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
25 August 2003 10 East Bengal 4–0 Railway F.C. Kolkata
Mike Okoro  3', 13', 22'
Malsawmtluanga  29'		 Stadium: East Bengal Ground
28 August 2003 11 East Bengal 3–0 Calcutta Port Trust Kolkata
Suley Musah
Mike Okoro  45'
Kulothungan 		Stadium: East Bengal Ground
4 September 2003 Championship Group East Bengal 0–0 Mohun Bagan Kolkata
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
7 September 2003 Championship Group East Bengal 1–2 Mohammedan Sporting Kolkata
Mike Okoro  51' Sheikh Sanjib  49'
Abdul Rauf Khan  87'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
10 September 2003 Championship Group East Bengal 2–2 Everready Association Kolkata
Suley Musah  40'
Mike Okoro  85'		 Eugene Gray  44'
Ernest Jeremiah  88'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
13 September 2003 Championship Group East Bengal 2–0 Mohammedan A.C. Kolkata
Bijen Singh  51'
Sashti Duley  86'		 Stadium: East Bengal Ground
16 September 2003 Championship Group East Bengal 2–1 Tollygunge Agragami Kolkata
Kulothungan  37'
Raman Vijayan  66'		 Manik Barman  73' Stadium: East Bengal Ground
2 November 2003 Championship Final East Bengal 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)		 Mohun Bagan Kolkata
Suley Musah  60' Ashim Biswas  23' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium

ASEAN Club Championship
Main article: 2003 ASEAN Club Championship

After winning the 2002-03 National Football League, East Bengal FC were invited to the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship held at Jakarta, Indonesia.[8] Top clubs from South-East Asia participated in the tournament which included the favourites BEC Tero Sasana from Thailand who already reached the 2002–03 AFC Champions League Finals. The star-studded team consisted of Golden Ball winner of 2002–03 AFC Champions League - Therdsak Chaiman. Other top teams like 2002 Malaysia Super League Champions Perak FC and Liga Indonesia 2002 Champions Petrokimia Putra participated in the tournament.[9]

East Bengal FC lost the first match against the favourites BEC Tero Sasana 1–0, courtesy of a solo goal from star man Therdsak Chaiman. The Red and Gold brigade bounced back in style as they defeated Philippine Army F.C. 6–0, with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring all 6 goals, becoming the only Indian player to score a double hattrick in an International game till date.[10]

In the Quarter Finals, East Bengal FC faced Persita Tangerang of Indonesia. Goals from Bhaichung Bhutia and Bijen Singh ensured a 2–1 win for the Kolkata side. Bhaichung was again on the scoresheet when East Bengal FC faced Petrokimia Putra in the Semi-Final. The score was 1–1 after 120 minutes and the Red and Golds won 7–6 in the shootout.

On 26 July 2003, East Bengal FC made history as they defeated the favourites BEC Tero Sasana 3–1 with goals from Mike Okoro, Bhaichung Bhutia and Alvito D'Cunha, hence becoming the first Indian club to win a top-level officially recognised tournament from Foreign Soil.[11] Bhaichung Bhutia became the Top Scorer of the tournament with 9 goals. Sandip Nandy was adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Group stage
Main article: 2003 ASEAN Club Championship § Group D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
BEC Tero Sasana 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
East Bengal 2 1 0 1 6 1 +5 3
Philippine Army 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 0
Source:
14 July 2003 BEC Tero Sasana 1–0 East Bengal FC Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Therdsak Chaiman  85'
16 July 2003 East Bengal FC 6–0 Philippine Army Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Baichung Bhutia  20' (pen), 50', 53', 70', 75', 88'

Quarter final

East Bengal faced Persita Tangerang of Indonesia in the Quarter Finals of the tournament.

20 July 2003 Persita Tangerang 1–2 East Bengal FC Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Ilham Jayakesuma  62' Baichung Bhutia  53'
Bijen Singh  76'

Semi final

East Bengal faced Petrokimia Putra, who were the reigning champions of Indonesia in the Semi Finals. East Bengal won 7-6 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after Extra Time.

24 July 2003 Petrokimia Putra 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(6–7 p)		 East Bengal FC Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Jaenal Ichwan  23' Baichung Bhutia  58'

Final

East Bengal faced the 2002-03 AFC Champions League finalist BEC Tero Sasana in the Final of the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship. BEC Tero Sasana defeated East Bengal 1-0 in the group stages. East Bengal shocked everyone to win the match 3-1 and create history as they became the first team from India to win any major tournament on the continental stage.

26 July 2003 East Bengal FC 3–1 BEC Tero Sasana Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Mike Okoro  20'
Baichung Bhutia  46'
Alvito D'Cunha  69'		 Panai Kongprapun  58' Referee: Jimmy Napitupulu (Indonesia)


Federation Cup
31 July 2003 Round of 16 East Bengal 5–0 HAL Kolkata
Bijen Singh  4', 31'
Chandan Das  58', 83'
Dipankar Roy  68'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
4 August 2003 Quarter Final East Bengal 0–1 Vasco S.C. Kolkata
Sushanth Mathew  85' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium

IFA Shield
20 September 2003 Group Stage East Bengal 1–0 Eastern Railway F.C. Siliguri
Bijen Singh  8' Stadium: Kanchenjunga Stadium
22 September 2003 Group Stage East Bengal 9–0 Wari AC Siliguri
Dipankar Roy  9', 26', 35', 42'
Bijen Singh  21', 40'
Kulothungan  46'
Douglas De Silva  75'
Malsawmtluanga  81'		 Stadium: Kanchenjunga Stadium
26 September 2003 Semi Final East Bengal 2–0 Everready Association Kolkata
Douglas De Silva  29'
Dipankar Roy  55'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
28 September 2003 Final East Bengal 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–5 p)		 Mohun Bagan Kolkata
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
Penalties

Durand Cup
4 November 2003 Group Stage East Bengal 3–2 Indian Bank Delhi
Bhaichung Bhutia  16', 49'
Mike Okoro  80'		 Mahendra Mani  2'
Syed Shabir Pasha  84'		 Stadium: Ambedkar Stadium
6 November 2003 Group Stage East Bengal 3–0 Dempo Delhi
Mike Okoro  51'
Malsawmtluanga  82'
Kulothungan  90'		 Stadium: Ambedkar Stadium
8 November 2003 Semi Final East Bengal 3–0 Air India Delhi
Malsawmtluanga  22'
Chandan Das  36'
Mike Okoro  59'		 Stadium: Ambedkar Stadium
10 November 2003 Final East Bengal 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)		 Salgaocar Delhi
Mahesh Gawli  62' Tomba Singh  59' Stadium: Ambedkar Stadium
Penalties

Super Cup
14 November 2003 Super Cup East Bengal 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 Mahindra United Kolkata
Suley Musah  19' Felix Aboagye  45' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
Penalties


National Football League
30 November 2003 1 Salgaocar 2–1 East Bengal Goa
Felix Ibrebru  24'
Micky Fernandes  29'		 Douglas De Silva  38' Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
4 December 2003 2 Vasco 1–1 East Bengal Goa
Amaechi  82' Dipankar Roy  83' Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
9 December 2003 3 JCT Mills 0–0 East Bengal Ludhiana
Stadium: Guru Nanak Stadium
16 December 2003 4 East Bengal 2–1 Churchill Brothers Kolkata
Cristiano Júnior  45'
Bhaichung Bhutia  90'		 Yusif Yakubu  4' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
20 December 2003 5 East Bengal 1–0 Tollygunge Agragami Kolkata
Cristiano Júnior  1' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
27 December 2003 6 Dempo 3–2 East Bengal Goa
Stanley Colaco  8'
Sunday Seah  25'
Nacimento Silveira  75'		 Cristiano Júnior  1'
Bhaichung Bhutia  7'		 Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
31 December 2003 7 Mahindra United 0–1 East Bengal Mumbai
Cristiano Júnior  68' Stadium: Cooperage Ground
8 January 2004 8 East Bengal 2–0 Sporting Clube de Goa Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  38'
Cristiano Júnior  73'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
12 January 2004 9 Indian Bank 1–1 East Bengal Chennai
Kamaldeen Fuard  25' Cristiano Júnior  22' Stadium: JL Nehru Stadium
16 January 2004 10 East Bengal 4–0 Mohammedan Sporting Kolkata
Alvito D'Cunha  45'
Bhaichung Bhutia  70'
Cristiano Júnior  75'
Mike Okoro  89'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
22 January 2004 11 East Bengal 2–1 Mohun Bagan Kolkata
Dipankar Roy  23'
Mike Okoro  75'		 Ashim Biswas  41' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
29 February 2004 12 East Bengal 3–1 Salgaocar Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  5', 45'
Subhash Chakraborty  53'		 Bello Razaq  40' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
5 March 2004 13 East Bengal 2–0 Mahindra United Kolkata
Cristiano Júnior  35'
Bhaichung Bhutia  87'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
11 March 2004 14 East Bengal 1–0 Vasco Kolkata
Cristiano Júnior  43' Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
15 March 2004 15 East Bengal 0–0 Dempo Kolkata
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
19 March 2004 16 East Bengal 3–0 JCT Mills Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  45+1'
Mike Okoro  51'
Cristiano Júnior  60'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
12 April 2004 17 Tollygunge Agragami 0–1 East Bengal Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
15 April 2004 18 Mohammedan Sporting 0–3 East Bengal Kolkata
Cristiano Júnior  59', 62'
Bhaichung Bhutia  65'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
25 April 2004 19 Mohun Bagan 1–2 East Bengal Kolkata
Ashim Biswas  16' Bhaichung Bhutia  53'
Cristiano Júnior  60'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
28 April 2004 20 East Bengal 3–0 Indian Bank Kolkata
Bhaichung Bhutia  19'
Douglas De Silva  73'
Dipankar Roy  83'		 Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium
9 May 2004 21 Churchill Brothers 1–0 East Bengal Goa
Santa Singh  75' Stadium: Fatorda Stadium
12 May 2004 22 Sporting Clube de Goa 1–2 East Bengal Goa
Adbullatif Seriki  84' Cristiano Júnior  46', 60' Stadium: Fatorda Stadium

Statistics

Top Scorers
Goal Scorers for East Bengal FC in 2003-04 season
Rank No. Pos. Nat. Name CFL ASEAN Fed Cup IFA Shield Durand Cup Super Cup NFL Total
1 12 FW Bhaichung Bhutia 9900201232
2 10 FW Mike Okoro 1010030317
3 26 FW Cristiano Júnior — — — — — — 1515
4 22 DF Suley Musah 900001010
5 6 MF Dipankar Roy 00150028
6 11 FW Bijen Singh 21230006
7 9 MF Alvito D'Cunha 31000015
15 MF Douglas De Silva 10020025
5 MF Shylo Malsawmtluanga 20012005
Own Goals 00000000

Sponsors

References
  1. "8th "Coca-Cola" National Football League 2003/04". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  2. "India 2003 Regional Championships". rsssf.com. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  3. "25th "TATA" Federation Cup 2003". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  4. "7th Super Cup 2003/04". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  5. "116th Durand Cup 2003". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  6. "109th IFA Shield 2003". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  7. "Team Archives - East Bengal Club". East Bengal Club. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. "East Bengal's Greatest Hour: The 2003 ASEAN Cup Triumph". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  9. "Before BFC in 2016, there was East Bengal's ASEAN win in 2003". ESPN. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  10. "15 Facts and Untold stories of Bhaichung Bhutia". Sports Libro. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  11. "East Bengal makes History". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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