Acosta landed in Kolkata two days prior to the press conference for East Bengal on Wednesday. (@EBRPFC Photo) East Bengal were left red-faced after the first press conference of their high-profile signing of Costa Rican World Cup player Acosta fell flat because they did not have a translator for him. Just a few days ago, East Bengal roped in a big investor but their casual attitude came to the fore when his press conference had to be cancelled due to non-availability of a translator. Acosta, who played all the three Group E matches for Costa Rica at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, came to Kolkata two days ago and was slated to address the press for the first time on Wednesday. However, the much-awaited press conference left a lot to be desired for both East Bengal and the media. Soon after the press settled down at the East Bengal media room in the club premises and the 35-year-old defender took the hot seat, the absence of an interpreter struck one and all. "Acosta speaks only Spanish, so please make your questions to the point so that it is easier for us to make him understand," newly-appointed club CEO Sanjit Sen said at the beginning. After the first question was asked, Sen started answering on the player's behalf to which the journalists objected. "We want him to do the talking," said one of them and the downfall of the event started. The East Bengal bosses first tried calling former player and club official Alvito D'Cunha who speaks Portuguese due to his Goan roots, but to no avail. Acosta tried his best taking the help of Google Translate, the widely used tool that instantly translates phrases and words. But all his efforts went in vain as there was no internet connection. East Bengal officials tried to shift the interaction to another room with better connectivity but only to be left more embarrassed. "We will have the interaction later," said an official and the 50-odd anxious media persons had to leave dejected. East Bengal meanwhile revealed that Acosta would don jersey number 2, the same number that he wore for the national side in the recently concluded World Cup. Acosta landed here on August 6 and also watched East Bengal's local league match against WB Police. Johnny Acosta was received by the QUESS East Bengal management at the belt section of Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport ( Dumdum Airport ) pic.twitter.com/yUgoGEF0UO EAST BENGAL the REAL POWER (@EBRPFC) August 6, 2018 "After the World Cup, I have had regular gym sessions to keep myself fit. I'm a professional player. If the coach wants me, I'm ready to play. I'm raring to go in East Bengal jersey," he had said after the arrival. "I'm glad to be part of Indian football. It's a new challenge for me. I've heard a lot about East Bengal from my agent and other friends. Hopefully, I'll be able to help my team win trophies," he said. Acosta has played 71 matches for Costa Rica and was plying his trade for Colombian premier league side Rionegro until the Russia World Cup. Although his team failed to progress from the group stage, he was impressive against Neymar's Brazil, who required two stoppage-time goals from Coutinho and Neymar to beat them 2-0. He was also part of Costa Rica's team in the 2014 World Cup. (With inputs from agencies)<doc-sep>East Bengal officials confirmed that the club has shortlisted a foreign striker and they are in talks with the player's club.... Former Minerva Punjab midfielder Kassim Aidara officially signed for East Bengal on Thursday evening. The Senegalese midfielder who was doubtful for Friday’s Calcutta Football League (CFL) season opener against Tollygunge Agragami as the club had not received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from his former employers. On Thursday evening after a meeting by the board of directors, board member and senior official Debabrata Sarkar said that they have finally received the clearance from Minerva and Aidara signed on the dotted line. Kassim Aidara was the captain of Minerva Punjab last season and under his leadership, the club scripted history by winning their maiden I-League trophy. Now as the midfielder has officially completed his move, he is likely to start for the club against Tollygunge in CFL on Friday. Debabrata Sarkar also mentioned that they have shortlisted a new foreign striker and the club is in talks with the players’ club. He said, “We have shortlisted a foreign striker. I cannot reveal his identity, we are in talks with the player’s current club and a decision will be taken shortly.” East Bengal currently have three foreign players in their squad - Kassim Aidara, Mahmoud Al Amna and Costa Rican World Cupper Johnny Acosta. Acosta was a part of his national side in the 2018 World Cup. On Acosta’s move, Sarkar mentioned, “Acosta’s formalities have been completed. We will soon book his tickets to Kolkata.”<doc-sep>Sanjit Sen has been appointed chief executive officer of I-League team Quess East Bengal Football Club (QEBFC). The recent appointment comes in the wake of East Bengal FC and Quess Corp Limited, a city-based leading business service provider, coming together and forming QEBFC. Sen, who comes with an overall experience of over 25 years, served as the COO of East Bengal Club in his last assignment and played a significant role in the formation of QEBFC, a statement from Quess Corp said. He will oversee all investments to enhance the player base, training facilities and building QEBFC as the premium football brand in the country, it said. Sen will spearhead initiatives aimed at creating new branding opportunities for QEBFC and tap possibilities of increasing its fan base. He has donned various hats across business leadership, corporate strategy and advisory functions, and has had an exemplary track record in each of them, the release said. Sen is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds professional certifications in corporate finance from IIM Kolkata and Customer Relationship Management from Management Development Institute, Gurgaon. Quess Corp chairman and managing director Ajit Isaac said, "we are delighted to welcome him to Quess and this appointment will contribute to our strategic investment towards development of sports in the country."<doc-sep>
East Bengal had created quite a stir in Indian football when they signed 35-year-old Johnny Acosta, who played all three games for Costa Rica at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. East Bengal had created quite a stir in Indian football when they signed 35-year-old Johnny Acosta, who played all three games for Costa Rica at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Costa Rican defender Johnny Acosta on Thursday said he had no idea about Indian football and it was only the rich history of East Bengal that drew him to sign up with the prestigious club. East Bengal had created quite a stir in Indian football when they signed 35-year-old Johnny Acosta, who played all three games for Costa Rica at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “When I signed, I only knew that East Bengal are a big club with great history. I have no idea about ISL or any other tournament. I came here because East Bengal are a big club,” said the Spanish-speaking Costa Rican centreback. Having got a sponsor, East Bengal were in talks to take part in the ISL but reports claim that the number of teams may not be increased this season. “I have not seen any Indian football matches before. The one I saw on October 6 (East Bengal’s Kolkata league match against WB Police) was my first. I don’t know anything about the leagues in India as well,” said Acosta, who once played against Lionel Messi back in 2011 in the Copa America. A fan of Paolo Maldini, Acosta further said he is ready to take the field for East Bengal. “I am ready. I am just waiting for my paper works. Once they are ready I will start playing,” the defender, who will sport his usual No 2 jersey, said. Asked if the language would be a concern, Acosta said: “Language has never been a problem for me. I will not face any problem adjusting here as football has only one language. This is football.” Acosta said it was disappointing that Costa Rica finished last in group E and crashed out early despite an impressive show in Russia World Cup. “It was disappointing definitely. We were playing against such a top side like Brazil and we had almost managed to get a draw against them,” he said during the media conference which was called off yesterday as East Bengal had forgotten to hire an interpreter. “Unfortunately, they scored and we were left heartbroken.” Acosta, with 71 International matches for Costa Rica, was impressive against Neymar’s Brazil, who required two stoppage-time goals from Coutinho and Neymar to beat them 2-0. Asked about playing against Neymar, he said: “It was a very good experience for me. Not only I had a great experience of playing against the entire Brazil side. “Overall a very good experience playing against Switzerland, Serbia and Brazil. Our entire team played very well,” Acosta said. Costa Rica drew 2-2 with Switzerland, and had lost their opening game 1-0 against Serbia.