EB cruise safely for runners up berth with 3-0 win

Kolkata, Apr 30: A six-minute blitzkrieg in second half earned Kingfisher East Bengal a vital (3-0) win against Sporting Clube de Goa and brightened their chance for a runners up position at the penultimate I-League V match at Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) here today.
After the barren first session substitutes Sanju Pradhan opened score for East Bengal in 77th minute and two minutes later he set up for Tolgay Ozbey, and Robin Singh hammered the last nail on coffin at the rival converting a penalty in the 83rd minute.
All these three goals came within six minutes after chief coach Trevor James Morgan brought in the first two scorers in the second half.
The full three points from their 25 games propelled the red and gold a step forward for securing the runners up spot with 48 points and the visitors stayed on 37 points, who have a game to play against relegated side HAL-Bangalore in home on May 5.
Before coming to crucial 25th round of play East Bengal conceded championship to Dempo Sports Club with 0-0 draw on April 20, the city giants had also painful 1-4 loss to Al Orouba of Yemen in AFC Cup’s Group B match last week.
Morgan preferred to field some of his boys to test their mettle at fag end when the marathon league was drawing close on May 6.
But his boys could not come up with the expectation as they fumbled at the goalmouth and had hardly tested Goa keeper Ashok Singh in first 45 minutes despite better ball possession.
Coming from bench Tolgay Ozbay in the 53rd minute in place of Brazilian Edmilson Marques, and two minutes after by Sanju Pradhan to replace Subho Kumar, East Bengal’s attacking line immediate got edge with sporadic onslaughts.
But the goal scored by Sanju Kumar was rather a gift as his drop shot from 30 yards misjudged by Goa keeper.
Before this East Bengal were denied a seemingly penalty when Tolgay Ozbay was brought down by Goa custodian as referee T R Sreekumar of Tamil Nadu rejected demands from home side players.
Then Sanju Pradhan set up a goal for the Australian, whose IL goals rose to 18 and 25 goals in all competitions.
The hat-trick of goals for East Bengal came in the 83rd minute when Robin Singh converted the penalty, which was given after the Noida boy was floored by the goalkeeper inside the box.
East Bengal will have their last game against Air India on May 5 in Mumbai.
Sporting Clube de Goa had also chances but their forwards, especially Park failed to utilise two opportunities.
Kalu Ogba had also off colour for the day as EB’s central defender Uga Okpara had outstanding form.
Morgan had said they needed to win to be sure of a 2nd place finish. ‘ ” It’s been a good season so far. Hopefully we may end up winning the Calcutta League. Not to forget we have already won the Super Cup and the IFA Shield. ” (UNI)