JOIN USChirag United now have 18 points and share a joint lead with Dempo in the league standing, but the Goans are on top on basis of a goal difference.
Dumped by East Bengal following an altercation with former coach Subhas Bhowmick and teammates, Brazilian Edmilson Marques scored the solitary goal with a venegeance to help Chirag United garner full three points.
Both the Kolkata oufits fought hard but a foul by red and yellow brigade’s Abhra Mondal in the 66th minute handed the win to Chirag United, who converted their penalty through the Brazilian recruit.
When it seemed the match would end without any goal, a foul by Abhra who brought down Edmilson inside the box proved costly for East Bengal and referee Rizwan-ul Haque directed at the spot. Edmilson converted the penalty with ease.
East Bengal’s Belgian coach replaced Hammond with Bhutia but it did not yield any result as despite an inexperienced defence, Subrata Bhattacharya’s boys held on to the 1-0 scoreline.
Meanwhile, visitors Dempo Sports Club came from behind to defeat hosts Air India 3-1 and regain their position on top of the points table in the ninth round I-league match at the Cooperage ground.
The hosts went ahead courtesy ND Opara in the 16th minute, but the visitors equalised three minutes later through Climax Lawrence, before Sunil Chhetri (36th) and substitute Jaoquim Abranches (80th) put the match beyond the airmen’s control.
With this win, Dempo have 18 points from nine matches, while the hosts face the possibility of being relegated having accumulated just five points from their eight matches.
The lethal duo of Anil Gurung and Seikhohau Tuboi saved the day for Lajong, scoring in the last minute to draw against Viva Kerela 1-1 in Shillong. Sirajuddeen had scored for Viva in the 63rd minute.
Meanwhile, Pune FC tasted their first victory in the I League when they defeated JCT 2-1 in Ludhiana. Shanmugam Venkatesh (6th) and Edmar Figueira (44th) scored for Pune, while Orji Penn scored the lone goal for JCT.