MillenniumPost
Sports

East Bengal win seven goal thriller

A Kingfisher East Bengal went down thrice before recovering to beat qualifier Kalighat Milan Sangha 4-3 in concluding group-C round of the 34th Federation Cup at the Kanchanjungha Stadium on Tuesday.

The laboured win helped East Bengal gain the required points as it ensured the last semifinal berth of the tournament.

East Bengal will meet Churchill Brothers in the first semifinal on Thursday while holder Salgaocar SC and Dempo SC battle out in the other match a day later.

Making a haphazard beginning quite contrary to its approach East Bengal conceded two goals within the first 15 minutes. Kalighat MS enjoyed the confusion in territory of its famed opponent Nigerian James Giblee and Tanmoy Kundu found the target in tandem in the 11th and 15th minutes.

A scattered  East Bengal defence, in absence of the regular centre-backs Uga Okpara, floundered with its job making it easier for Kalighat to attack at will.

East Bengal recovered from the initial setback as its young striker Manandeep Singh scored two quick goals in the 22nd and 28th minutes to restore parity.

But Kalighat rebounded with greater intensity and regained the lead off a nice solo from striker Christopher Chizoba in the 40th minute. Nigerian Edeh Chidi rescued East Bengal in the injury time as he scored from the spot after being brought down by the
Kalighat goalkeeper Souvik Mondal.

ONGC FC terminated the semifinal chances of Sporting Clube de Goa beating the latter 2-1 at the SSB Ground.  The newly promoted I-League side ONGC, which beat Kalighat MS before narrowly losing to East Bengal in the previous, regained its winning form to finish second.
Next Story
Share it