JOIN USIt was the Goa outfit’s first defeat in this season. The Ghanaian striker, who heard the news in the morning that his mother had passed away, did not let it affect his on-field performance as he scored a brace (10th and 38th), while Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia scored in the 53rd minute at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Yakubu’s man-of-the-match effort enabled East Bengal improve their tally to 16 points from 11 matches, while Churchill remained on 18 points from an identical number of matches.
East Bengal conceded two easy goals with the first (9th minute) being an own goal by Syed Rahim Nabi, while Reisangmi Vashum scored the second for Churchill in the 13th minute.
With Churchill missing four main players — Odafa Okolie (double yellow), Robert Lalthampuana, Khan Thang Paite and Charan Rai — a full strength East Bengal came back after conceding two easy goals to end the 16-match unbeaten run of the Goans.
Air India rally
In Mumbai, hosts Air India rallied from a goal down to defeat visitors Salgaocar Sports Club 2-1 and register their first home win at the Cooperage.
The Goan club went ahead in the 26th minute through Avneet Singh Shergiu, while the hosts restored parity through an own goal in the 42nd minute. Skipper Vijeth Shetty scored the winner (79th) for the airmen.
The hosts now have eight points from ten matches and Salgaocar are on seven.