2003–04 East Bengal FC season

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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]

The 2003–04 season was East Bengal Football Club's 8th season in the National Football League, and also marked the club's 84th 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.

First-team squad[edit]

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

Stadiums[edit]

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.

Competitions[edit]

Overall[edit]

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[edit]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Calcutta Football League[edit]

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
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
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[edit]

The ASEAN Club Championship is a friendly international football competition between domestic champion clubs sides run by the ASEAN Football Federation.[8] Formerly known as the LG Cup, sponsored by LG Electronics. LG described the competition as a "social marketing experiment". Qualification to the competition was for champions clubs from AFF-affiliated countries only, plus the champions from India in 2003.[9][10] After winning the 2002–03 National Football League, East Bengal was invited to the inaugural 2003 ASEAN Club Championship held at Jakarta, Indonesia.[11] 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.[12]

East Bengal was grouped alongside BEC Tero Sasana and Philippine Army in Group D. They lost the first match against the favourites BEC Tero Sasana 1–0, courtesy of a solitary goal from Therdsak Chaiman. The Red and Gold brigade bounced back in style as they defeated the Philippine Army 6–0, with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring all 6 goals, becoming the only Indian player to score a double hattrick in an International game to date.[13] In the Quarter Finals, East Bengal faced Persita Tangerang of Indonesia. Goals from Bhaichung and Bijen Singh ensured a 2–1 win for the Kolkata side. Bhaichung was again on the scoresheet when East Bengal 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 made history as they defeated the favourites BEC Tero Sasana 3–1 with goals from Mike Okoro, Bhaichung and Alvito D'Cunha, hence becoming the first Indian club to win a top-level officially recognised tournament in foreign soil.[14] Bhaichung became the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals. Sandip Nandy was adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.[11]

Group stage[edit]

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Thailand BEC Tero Sasana 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
India East Bengal 2 1 0 1 6 1 +5 3
Philippines Philippine Army 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 0
Source: RSSSF

Bracket[edit]

 
Quarter-FinalsSemi-FinalsFinal
 
          
 
20 July 2003
 
 
Indonesia Petrokimia Putra (a.e.t.) 3
 
24 July 2003
 
Singapore Singapore AF 2
 
Indonesia Petrokimia Putra 1 (6)
 
21 July 2003
 
India East Bengal 1 (7)
 
Indonesia Persita Tangerang 1
 
26 July 2003
 
India East Bengal 2
 
India East Bengal 3
 
20 July 2003
 
Thailand BEC Tero Sasana 1
 
Malaysia Perak 2
 
24 July 2003
 
Cambodia Samart United 0
 
Malaysia Perak 1
 
21 July 2003
 
Thailand BEC Tero Sasana 3 Third place
 
Thailand BEC Tero Sasana 2
 
26 July 2003
 
Vietnam Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 1
 
Indonesia Petrokimia Putra3
 
 
Malaysia Perak0
 


Matches[edit]

  Win  Draw  Loss

14 July 2003 Group stage BEC Tero Sasana Thailand 1–0 India East Bengal Jakarta, Indonesia
Therdsak Chaiman 85' Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
16 July 2003 Group stage East Bengal India 6–0 Philippines Philippine Army Jakarta, Indonesia
Baichung Bhutia 20' (pen), 50', 53', 70', 75', 88' Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
21 July 2003 Quarter-final Persita Tangerang Indonesia 1–2 India East Bengal Jakarta, Indonesia
Ilham Jayakesuma 62' Baichung Bhutia 53'
Bijen Singh 76'
Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
24 July 2003 Semi-final Petrokimia Putra Indonesia 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(6–7 p)
India East Bengal Jakarta, Indonesia
Jaenal Ichwan 23' Report Baichung Bhutia 58' Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
Penalties
  • Jaenal Ichwan soccer ball with check mark
  • Indraju soccer ball with check mark
  • Pdudu Putra soccer ball with check mark
  • Daniel Fernando soccer ball with check mark
  • Sasi Kirono soccer ball with red X
  • Chan Jhe soccer ball with check mark
  • Ekwe soccer ball with check mark
  • Loko soccer ball with red X
26 July 2003 Final East Bengal India 3–1 Thailand BEC Tero Sasana Jakarta, Indonesia
Mike Okoro 20'
Baichung Bhutia 46'
Alvito D'Cunha 69'
Panai Kongprapun 58' Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
Referee: Jimmy Napitupulu (Indonesia)

Federation Cup[edit]

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[edit]

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

Durand Cup[edit]

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

Super Cup[edit]

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[edit]

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
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
12 January 2004 9 Indian Bank 1–1 East Bengal Chennai
Kamaldeen Fuard 25' Cristiano Júnior 22' Stadium: JL Nehru 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
15 March 2004 15 East Bengal 0–0 Dempo Kolkata
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[edit]

Top Scorers[edit]

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 India Bhaichung Bhutia 9 9 0 0 2 0 12 32
2 10 FW Nigeria Mike Okoro 10 1 0 0 3 0 3 17
3 26 FW Brazil Cristiano Júnior 15 15
4 22 DF Ghana Suley Musah 9 0 0 0 0 1 0 10
5 6 MF India Dipankar Roy 0 0 1 5 0 0 2 8
6 11 FW India Bijen Singh 2 1 2 3 0 0 0 6
7 9 MF India Alvito D'Cunha 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 5
15 MF Brazil Douglas De Silva 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 5
5 MF India Shylo Malsawmtluanga 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 5
Own Goals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sponsors[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "8th "Coca-Cola" National Football League 2003/04". IndianFootball.de. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  2. ^ "India 2003 Regional Championships". RSSSF. 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. ^ a b "Team Archives - East Bengal Club". East Bengal Club. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Asean Club Championship to launch after getting AFC and Fifa backing". SportBusiness. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  9. ^ "AFC Statement on the Asean Club Championship | Football News |". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  10. ^ "AFF to launch ASEAN Club Championship in 2020 featuring top clubs from Southeast Asia | FOX Sports Asia". Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b "East Bengal's Greatest Hour: The 2003 ASEAN Cup Triumph". Sportskeeda. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Before BFC in 2016, there was East Bengal's ASEAN win in 2003". ESPN. November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  13. ^ "15 Facts and Untold stories of Bhaichung Bhutia". Sports Libro. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  14. ^ "East Bengal makes History". The Hindu. 27 July 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2020.[dead link]