Date:26/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/26/stories/2004042605051800.htm

Sport - Football

East Bengal prevails over Mohun Bagan

KOLKATA, APRIL 25. Defending champion Kingfisher East Bengal overcame its arch-rival Mohun Bagan 2-1 in a 19th round match of the VIII National Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday evening.

The result put the red-and-gold brigade just three points away from creating history, as no other team in the premier club contest of the country has ever won the title on successive occasions. With 43 points from 13 wins, four draws and just two losses, East Bengal is four points ahead of Goa's Dempo SC — which is second on 39 points but from playing a match extra — and has three matches at disposal to reach the magic figure of 46 to ensure the third title in the eight-year history of the tournament.

The city giant, preferably, would be keen to wrap it at home when it takes on bottom-placed Indian Bank at the same venue on Wednesday.

The local derby, played under lights, unfolded on the predictable lines as East Bengal rendered yet another show of confidence and caliber.

Mohun Bagan led the opening session through a 16th minute goal by striker Ashim Biswas. Little was seen of the title aspirant in the first half and the only positive chance came in the 35th minute when Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior's attempt went off the crosspiece.

The transformation was remarkable following the change of ends as East Bengal struck form pushing the opponent against the wall. The equaliser resulted eight minutes into the second half as Bhutia shot home a rebound after Junior saw another attempt coming off the framework.

Having missed an easy goalmouth opportunity just a couple of minutes earlier, the goal saved the Indian captain's blushes. Keeping up the momentum East Bengal pressed harder for the lead. Referee Walter Pereira awarded a penalty in the 15th minute, holding Mohun Bagan's Brazilian defender Leonardo guilty of tripping Junior inside the box. Junior shot right giving his team the crucial lead while taking his personal tally to 13 in the tournament.

Stung by the reversal in fortunes, Bagan, under its newly appointed `technical director' Subrata Bhattacharya, started playing rough dragging the contest into a virtual slugfest. As a result both the teams were reduced to 10 men by the 63rd minute. Bagan lost captain Renedy Singh, who started a fight, while East Bengal saw its defender Surkumar Singh sent off for retaliating.

East Bengal earned two more chances of increasing the lead but the opportunities were lost as Bhutia floundered again on the goalmouth in the 84th minute while Brazilian Douglas Da Silva saw his freekick going off the bar five minutes later. — Our Sports Reporter