by
Salgaocar Sports Club maintained their perfect record against East
Bengal at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, for almost a decade after they scurried to a 4-0 victory in a 12th round I-League clash on Thursday.
East Bengal have not won against Salgaocar since the 2001 National Football League and when captain Mehtab Hossain was sent off in the 16th minute for a second bookable offence, it was clear that East Bengal’s jinx would continue for some more time.
Goals from Francis Fernandes, Ryuji Sueoka, Elijah Junior and Nicolau Colaco helped Salgaocar score a much needed victory.
East Bengal and Salgaocar started evenly but Mehtab’s sending off for successive fouls on Francis Fernandes and Ryuji changed the equation.
Once Mehtab was off and East Bengal reduced to 10-man, Salgaocar enjoyed the upperhand.
Salgaocar opened the account in the 25th minute after Francis Fernandes was at the right place at the right time to give finishing touches to a headed ball from Edeh Chidi. East Bengal defender Nirmal Chhetri tried to curtail Francis’ attempt, but the ball deflected and beat goalkeeper Sandip Nandy under the East Bengal goal.
Salgaocar led 1-0 at the change of ends.
In the second session, East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan made a double substitution at the start but Salgaocar, enjoying a player advantage, continued to hold sway.
Salgaocar calmed nerves in the 68th minute when Ryuji followed up on a long ball from Thounaojam D. Singh, ran some distance before getting the better of Nandy.
Substitute Junior Elijah then added his name to the scoresheet as he completed a move that was initiated by Marcus Mascarenhas five minutes from close.
Bad got worse for East Bengal in the last minute of play when Nicolau Colaco’s ball was headed into his own goal by Nirmal Chhetri.
Salgaocar also finished with 10 players after Biswajit Saha was issued the marching orders.
Ryuji Sueoka was declared Man of the match.
After this win Salgaocar SC leapfrog to 8th position with 16 points from 12 matches. While Kingfisher East Bengal remains at 4th position with 23 points from 12 matches.
