Churchill jolt East Bengal

Churchill Brothers, who had the possession of the ball for the better part of the first half led 1-0 at half time and scored through Okolie in the 31st and 58th minutes.

East Bengal, who were the better side in the second half, pulled one back through Baljit Sahni in the 79th minute.

The Kolkata’s team’s defeat puts Goan clubs Salgaocar Sports Club and Dempo in a better position to win the title.

Salgaocar, who are at the top of the table with 53 points, will win the title if they win their last match against JCT as they will end on 56 points.

If Dempo wins all its remaining three matches they too will end on 56 points but will need to increases their goal difference if they are to harbour any hopes of taking the title.

Churchill, who have an outside chance to win the title, now need to beat Pune FC in their last match and hope that Salgaocar lose against JCT so that both the teams will finish on 53 points each.

Meanwhile, East Bengal, who have two more matches to play, remained on 57 points from 24 games.

In another match, Mohun Bagan blanked JCT 2-0.
Bangalore boy Satish Kumar Jr (60th) and Ashim Biswas (69th) scored for the Kolkatans, leaving JCT, third bottom on 24 points from 24 matches, four points ahead of bottom club Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club and one above ONGC, who lie thirteenth.