Vasco holds East Bengal

MARGAO, APRIL 18. Title aspirant Kolkata giant East Bengal's hope of maiden league title received a jolt on Wednesday as it was involved in a 1-1 draw with spirited local outfit Vasco Sports Club in the fifth edition of the National Football League match played at Nehru stadium Fatorda here.

Suley Musa scored for East Bengal in the 53rd minute and Vishant Pednakar restored the parity in the 81st minute for Vasco.

With this drawn match East Bengal maintained its lead topping the table with 40 points with 11 wins, seven draws and only two defeats from 20 matches.

Second placed Mohan Bagan is four points behind the leader with 36 points follwed by FC Kochi with 34 points and Zee Churchill with 32 points.

Vasco with this drawn match came on par with Salgoacar Sports Club with 26 points in 19 outings each.

After a barren first half, East Bengal regrouped well and shot into the lead in the 53rd minute through Suley Musa following a flag kick taken by Falguni Dutta.

Stung by the goal, Vasco fought gallantly and scored in the 70th minute through Vishant Pednkar but the line man disallowed the goal pointing out to an off side foul by Vasco.

Then in the 81st minute Vishant levelled the scores when Khoshimav Avazbek floated a ball at the top of the box off a free kick which Vishant nicely headed it into the goal.

Both the teams then made desperate attempts for the match winner but had to be content with one point each.

- UNI

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Section  : Sport
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