With a spectre of relegation looming large, East Bengal finally made a turnaround to beat favourites Dempo Sports Club by a solitary second-half goal in their I League soccer match here on Sunday.
Alvito D’Cunha hit the all important goal as East Bengal scored their first win after ninth match.
They are now in the ninth position in the league table with 11 points from 13 outings.
Dempo is still on the lead having collected 27 points from 13 matches. A point behind Dempo is Churchill Brothers who have amassed 26 points from 13 matches.
This win will definitely help East Bengal to come out of the relegation threat to some extent as they are now a point behind Viva Kerala, who have 12 points from 13 matches.
Salgaocar is at the bottom with only 6 points from 13 games.
East Bengal started with a new vigour and Alvito doing most of the schemings dominated the proceedings mostly in the second half.
In the first half, both teams preferred to play defensive and gauge each other’s strength.
East Bengal went all out after the breather and scored the match winner in the 69th minute when they were awarded a free kick.
Following the free kick, Alvito D’Cunha’s powerful shot hit Dempo defender Mahesh Gauli’s leg and went in amidst roaring cheers from East Bengal supporters (1-0). Alvito was declared man of the match.
Air India contain Bagan
Air India contained an aggressive Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw adds, PTI from Mumbai
Air India were put on the defensive from the very beginning with forward Baichung Bhutia and Brazilian Jose Baretto threatening the hosts’ goal. Bagan created many chances in the first half but were blocked by the packed AI defence. Despite the draw, Bagan coach Carlos said his team, with 21 points to its credit, still had the chance to win the title.
AIFF retreats
After strongly pitching for clubs to maintain a dedicated team for I-League, the AIFF decided on Sunday that players who play less than half the duration of a match in the top level league can play in their local engagements, adds PTI from New Delhi.
