Date:15/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/15/stories/2004071509682000.htm

Sport - Football

East Bengal posts win

KOLKATA, JULY 14 Defending champion Kingfisher East Bengal weathered striking blues to beat unfancied George Telegraph SC by two late second session goals in a Calcutta Football League's Super Division here on Wednesday.

Coming from a facile 3-0 win in its season opener against the local railwaymen on Saturday, the performance of the country's champion club remained lot to be desired as it put up a half-hearted approach in just managing a win.

The first session remained barren as the host attack faltered on the goalmouth despite several opportunities against an overtly defensive opponent. The best opportunity came up in the 39th minute when East Bengal was awarded a penalty as the Telegraph defender, Sajal Saha, handled the ball inside own box. The flamboyant Bijen Singh could only hit the post attempting from the spot to spoil the best chance for East Bengal in the first half.

Following the change of ends, the host redoubled its initiative but failed to breach the opponent citadel owing to wayward finishing by the forwards. The goal was finally realised, though not so convincingly, in the 71st minute as Bijen Singh managed a clumsy act using his body to divert home an Alvito D'Cunha cross. Singh was again in the finishing act 11 minutes later, when he nodded home a provision by another Goa recruit, Climax Lawrence, to complete the host's tally. — Our Sports Reporter