Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092760562100.htm

Sport - Football

East Bengal starts well

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT (WEST BENGAL): Kingfisher East Bengal made a confident start to the ONGC I-League campaign, beating Chirag United SC 3-1 in the opening round here on Friday.

East Bengal showed variety in its attacks and filled up its kitty (3-0) by the half-hour mark.

Defender Surkumar Singh gave East Bengal the lead in the 10th minute with a powerful strike that left the United SC custodian Arindam Ghosh fisting the ball into his own goal.

East Bengal’s domination continued with Yusif Yakubu doubling the lead in the 19th minute. Sunil Chhetri made amends for his earlier mistake when he was released free on the opposition box by a measured chip from his Brazilian colleague upfront, Edmilson Marques. Fresh from his successful stint with the National team that won the AFC Challenge Cup recently, Chettri made no error, slotting the ball over the on-rushing United SC custodian Ghosh.

Chhetri stands out

Chhetri showed good sense of position and figured in most of the attacks. He was named man-of-the match for his efforts. East Bengal, which finished third in the domestic league, looked a transformed side. Under its new coach Stanley Rozario, the former champion put together a performance that underlined discipline and good understanding between the players.

Chirag snatched a late goal through Shankar Oraon in the 80th minute.

PTI reports from Margao

In another match, Nigerian Junior Obagbemiro guided Sporting Clube De Goa to a solitary-goal win over Vasco Sports Club at the Nehru Stadium.

With both the teams failing to dish out an entertaining game, Junior managed to break the dead lock in the stoppage time with a low shot into the net off a cross from defender Chandrashekhar Chinta.