JCT hold East Bengal to a draw

Chettris twin strikes powers Dempo past Lajong FC

 
With one point from their second drawn match, the Kolkata giants now have two points from three matches. The one point on the other hand enabled JCT to consolidate their position on top of the standings with seven points from three matches.

East Bengal’s star recruit Bhaichung Bhutia who played in the red-and-gold after courting a controversy with Mohan Bagan, had a bad day in office and the Indian captain was replaced, six minutes before the regulation time. The local favourites got the service of Bhutia and Ghanaian striker Yusif Yakubu in their forward line-up right from the start but the star combination did not yield any result as a win continued to elude Subhas Bhowmick’s boys.

East Bengal had a better ball possession and had more chances than JCT, who were looking for a hat-trick of wins. East Bengal attack lacked steam as just before the half-time time Yakubu wasted a golden opportunity when the Ghanaian got past the defenders from a measured cross but only to shoot it away.

The script did not change even after the break as East Bengal continued to miss opportunities. JCT hardly got any chance but the side will however return on a happy note, having held East Bengal and take home one point. JCT defender Sunil Kumar was adjudged Man of the Match.

Meanwhile, Dempo Sports Club posted a thumping 4-1 win over Lajong Football Club in the Nehru Stadium in Goa. Twin goals from Sunil Chettri (42nd, 55th) and a goal each for Anthony Pereria (5th), Roberto Mendes Silva (12th) helped Dempo SC win the game. James Giblee scored the consolation goal for Lajong in the 53th minute.