Despite facing a number of injury issues, East Bengal stopped Rangdajied United of Shillong in its tracks with a hard-fought 3-1 win in the I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Sunday.
Edeh Chidi (16), Resangmi Vashum (45+1) and Seminlen Doungel (55) scored for East Bengal, while Ranti headed home at the half hour mark. Both East Bengal and Rangdajied missed a couple of easy openings early on before Chidi broke the ice. The Nigerian striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Lamine Tamba. At the half hour mark, Rangdajied equalised through Ranti Martins, who rose highest as he headed in a Steven Dias lob from the right, giving ’keeper Abhijit no chance.
East Bengal took the lead in first half added time. A through ball by Abranches was well controlled by Chidi, who laid it on for Vashum to score.
James Moga, who came on as a substitute, was stretchered off. Young Seminlen Doungel took his place and scored the match-winner in the 55th minute to the delight of East Bengal supporters.
Bengaluru FC shockedPTI reports:
At Shillong, host Shillong Lajong FC humbled table topper Bengaluru FC 3-0 in a crucial match in front of more than 14,000 fans.
The results: At Kolkata: East Bengal 3 (Edeh Chidi 16, Resangmi Vashum 45+1, Seminlen Doungel 55) bt Rangdajied United 1 (Ranti Martins 30).
At Margao: Churchill Brothers 3 (Anthony Wolfe 24, Balwant Singh 90, Bineesh Balan 90+4) bt Pune FC 2 (Mustapa Riga 45+3, Mirjan Pavlovic 69); Dempo SC 1 (Ozbey Tolgey 77) bt Mohd. Sporting 0; Sporting Clube de Goa 1 (Rowllin Borges 78) lost to Mohun Bagan 3 (Odafe Okolie 44 & 79, Christopher Chizoba 70); Salgaocar SC 0 drew with United SC 0.
At Shillong: Shillong Lajong FC 3 (Ulliams Bomfin 46, Glen Cornell 80 & 90+4-penalty) bt Bengaluru FC 0.
