The Hindu : East Bengal cements its place at the top

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

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Sport - Basketball

East Bengal cements its place at the top

By Our Sports Reporter

KOLKATA FEB. 25. Kingfisher East Bengal took another step towards the title beating archrival and defending champion Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a 16th round match of the Oil PSU VII National Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday.

The win also helped East Bengal keep its undefeated run intact and net 40 points from 12 wins and four draws. This put the former champion very much within sight of its second title triumph, being 13 points clear of nearest rival Salgaocar SC (27 points from 15 matches).

On the other hand, defending champion Mohun Bagan faltered yet again, suffering its fourth loss and remained on 26 points from 16 matches.

East Bengal's star forward Mike Okoro is also in line for individual glory — highest scorer of the tournament. The Nigerian striker scored the winner on Tuesday, taking his tally to 14.

The scoreline reflected East Bengal's dominance of the match. The red-and-gold brigade struck early. Its Goan recruit Alvito D'Cunha humbled the Mohun Bagan defence with a brilliant finish in the 11th minute. D'Cunha, had scored the second goal in East Bengal's 2-0 win against Bagan in the first phase on December 8, 2002.

The second session saw Bagan strive desperately for the equaliser. Its efforts were rewarded in the 54th minute when Brazilian striker Jose Barreto tapped home a cross from George Ekeh.

Stung by the equaliser East Bengal launched into another round of attacks and found the match-winner in the 72nd minute when Okoro headed home a measured cross from midfielder Sasthi Duley.

Okoro was declared the ONGC man-of-the-match.

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