By Debabrata Majumder
BARASAT: East Bengal came from behind twice to log a thrilling 4-3 win over United Sports Club in the ongoing CFL Premier Division – A on Tuesday at Barasat Stadium.
United SC took the lead through Manotosh Chakladar (16th), only for Lalrindika Ralte (49th) to restore the parity for East Bengal, but two quick goals from Bello Rasaq (54th) and Suhair VP (64th) gave United SC a 3-1 lead. However, the Red & Golds showed charecter in the later stages of the game and a goal each from Do Dong Hyun (74th), Arnab Mondal (79th) and Lalrindika (89th) settled the closely contested tie in East Bengal’s favour.
Going into the game East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan made three changes to the starting XI from the previous match. While Dibyendu Sarkar replaced Luis Barreto under the bar, Gurwinder Singh and Nikhil Poojary filled in for injured Rahul Bheke and Mehtab Hossain respectively.
United SC started off brightly and created some half chances early on through Amod Mahato and Sankar Oraon who failed to capitalize.
However it did not take long for United SC to find the breakthrough as Manatosh scored with a rasping drive just past the 15th minute mark to put his team ahead first time in the season.
Meanwhile, East Bengal also had their chances throughout the half but the finish was lacking from strikers Jiten Murmu and Somide Adelaja as the first-half ended with United SC leading by a solitary goal.
East Bengal began the second-half with intent and within just four minutes into the session the Red & Golds found themselves back on level when Lalrindika slotted from an inch perfect pass delivered by Avinash Ruidas.
However two quick goals in just ten minutes from Bello and Suhair gave the Purple Brigade a 3-1 advantage.
First it was Bello who converted a spot-kick, awarded to United SC after East Bengal custodian Dibyendu brought down Amod in the prohibited area. Then Suhair scored off a Budhiram Tudu pass to give his team a two goal cushion.
Needing goals, East Bengal introduced striker Dong replacing defender Calum Angus in the 63rd minute. The move had an immediate impact as East Bengal suddenly started to look more purposeful and eventually snached a victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring three goals in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Dong reduced the margin when he slotted a spot-kick in the 74th minute. The penalty was awarded to East Bengal after Bello fouled Lalrindika inside the box.
Having scored, East Bengal increased pressure on the rival defense which eventually paid off as they equalised through Arnab five minutes later when the defender headed home from a right sided corner taken by Avinash.
Then Lalrindika netted the winner with just one minute left in the regulation time. Adelaja delivered a brilliant ball inside the United SC box and Lalrindika made no mistake in slotting a left-footer home which saw his team walking out with full three points.
After this thrilling win East Bengal reclaimed the top position with 12 points from 4 games while United SC stay rooted at bottom without a point from the same number of matches.
East Bengal XI: Dibyendu Sarkar; Callum Angus (Dong Hyun Do – 63′), Gurwinder Singh, Arnab Mondal, Narayan Das; Nikhil Poojary (Prohlad Roy – 28′), Mohammed Rafique, Lalrindika Ralte, Avinash Ruidas (Robert Lalthalmuana – 91′); Somide Adelaja, Jiten Murmu.
United SC XI: Sangram Mukherjee; Santu Singh, Bello Rasaq, Lucky Ejiofor, Sujay Oraon; Amod Mahato, Manotosh Chakladar, Mohammed Rashid K, Shankar Oraon; Suhair VP, Budhiram Tudu.
