East Bengal kicked off a late rally to put its traditional rival Mohun Bagan down by a solitary goal and retain the prestigious Federation Cup title here at the Barabati Stadium on Saturday.
After a relatively drab start East Bengal fired up a strong showing in the second session, where it found the decisive goal to ensure back-to-back titles.
Midfielder Reishanmei Vashum struck the target of a brilliant solo effort in the second half fetching the seventh title for the Kolkata giant. Apart from ensuring a berth in the AFC Cup, the triumph also created another landmark for East Bengal, which won its 10th successive match of the season under its new English coach Trevor Morgan.
Aimless exchange
The opening session remained rooted in an aimless exchange with the two sides aiming to thwart each other. Mohun Bagan midfield enjoyed some early dominance helping the team come up with a few initial forays. But the attacks remained fruitless with the Bagan attack-line — combining Brazilian Jose Barreto and Nigerian Subair Muritala Ali — stuttering in the striking zone.
Bagan opened up at least three chances within 15 minutes but the quality of its finishing left a lot to be desired as Muritala Ali and the two midfielders, Okwy Diamondstar and Ashim Biswas, failed to connect properly.
The first purposeful thrust fetched East Bengal a penalty in the 20th minute but the chance was wasted as its Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey sent his attempt wide.
Mohun Bagan, which had won the title beating Salgaocar here last time in 1987, resumed its search for the lead but was denied the opportunity when referee Dinesh Nair called a foul overruling Ashim Biswas' 44th minute goal. East Bengal had suffered a similar denial from the referee, who turned down Tolgay's 42nd minute goal.
Improved show
The second session saw an improved East Bengal, with its attack getting more incisive. Orji Penn, East Bengal's Nigerian central midfield, could well given it the lead had his 50th-minute attempt from close not sailed over. Vashum worked on the accuracy in the next opportunity as he chested down a floater from Mehtab Hussain and put a perfect finish give East Bengal the lead in the 53rd minute.
Bagan coach Stanley Rosario introduced third striker Edeh Chidi in the 61st minute but the move appeared to make little effect as East Bengal tightened its defence preserving the lead.
Bagan found itself at the receiving end of another decision from referee Nair, who again turned down a goal off a spectacular attempt from Muritala Ali in the 73rd minute. Mohun Bagan's chances of making a comeback was further diminished when its striker Muritala Ali was marched off with a red card after he received his second booking in the 88th minute.
