Bangalore: East Bengal dealt a blow to Bengaluru FC's ambitions of consolidating their position on the top of the I-League table with a 2-0 win at the Bangalore Football Stadium here today.
The AFC Cup semi-finalists went into the game six points adrift of the home side but moved into the striking distance of storming into the top three spots by claiming the spoils in a crucial match for the visitors.
James Saeed Moga gave East Bengal the lead with a 17th minute strike on a passing shot given by Raju Eknath Gaikwad before Edeh Chidi added another in the 78th as the visitors produced a dominant display over Bengaluru.
East Bengal became the first team to beat Bengaluru in their backyard, as the home side have not lost any game played here so far in this year's league before today's match.
East Bengal played better football in first 15 and kept the pressure on the hosts, making several forays into their box.
The visitors could have scored more as they spilled their chances. Bengaluru goalkeeper Soram Poirei Anganba and his defenders had to be on their toes.
Bengaluru, on the other hand, were predictable. They attacked only from the left flank, which the visitors anticipated and manned Bengaluru strikers to give away any chance for them to score.
Bengaluru also got chances to score, but could not finished off because of their predictable game. However, they dominated the second half until the 78th minute, when all of a sudden East Bengal increased their tempo and scored their second goal to clinch the match.
The build-up for East Bengal's first goal came from Gaikwad in the centre, giving a passing shot to Moga, who dribbled the ball to his left and slotted the ball home to the dismay of 15,000-odd home supporters.
Most of play remained confined to Bengaluru's half in the first session and their goalkeeper had a busy day under the bar while his counterpart rarely collected the ball.
Churchill Brothers beats Mohammedan Sporting in I-League match
Churchill Brothers beats Mohammedan Sporting in I-League match
Mapusa: Churchill Brothers gave good account of themselves during the second half to beat Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 in the Airtel I-League match at Duler Stadium here today.
After a barren first half, Churchill Brothers scored all the goals in the second half through Lenny Rodrigues (51st minute), substitute Jaison Vales (71st) and Balwant Singh (74th).
Mohammedan Sporting, who were reduced to 10 men midway in the second half, pulled one back through Ashim Biswas in the 86th minute.
The win takes Churchill Brothers to 10 points from 12 matches. While Mohammedan Sporting finished their first leg engagement on 13 points from 13 matches.
Placed at the bottom of the table, Churchill Brothers desperately needed a win to raise their confidence and they made three changes in the team today.
Dropping Arindam Bhattacharya, Anthony Pereira and Micky Fernandes, Churchill Brothers brought in Lalit Thapa, Alesh Sawant and Ravanan Dharmaraj to change their fortunes, but were not effective in their first attack as Balwant Singh was blocked by rival keeper Luis Barreto. Churchill Brothers, who enjoyed the edge in ball possession, came close to finding the net during the later part of the first half, when Alesh Sawant's strike was first blocked by defender Collin Abranches and then by Wadoo, who managed to deflect his header away from the target.
There were not many moves in the barren first half, although the visitors too had couple of chances. Asim Biswas' shot went straight into the hands of keeper Lalit Thapa. Churchill Brothers made a substitution after the break, bringing in Jaison Vales in place of Binesh Balan and the former responded well when he set up Lenny Rodrigues on the right, who blasted a right-footer straight past keeper Luis Barreto from outside the box during the 51st minute.
Two minutes later, Churchill Brothers could have increased the lead but Balwant couldn't get a clean touch on the ball in a one-on-one situation with Mohammedan Sporting goalie Barreto, who fumbled but caught hold of the ball on his second attempt, while Vales was lurking close. However, Churchill Brothers kept on attacking and increased the lead in the 71st minute when Shabana released Balwant and the latter found Jaison inside the box on the right side.
Mohammedan Sporting were reduced to 10 men when referee A Rowan gave marching orders to defender Rakesh Masih for a dangerous foul on Shabana inside the box and awarded a penalty, which birthday boy Balwant Singh converted in the 74th minute and took the match away from the visitors. With Churchill Brothers doing the attacking, Mohammedan Sporting came up with a counter move and pulled one back in the 86th minute when Biswas trapped in a cross by substitute Israil Gurung.
Mohammedan Sporting fires Nigerian coach
Mohammedan Sporting fires Nigerian coach
Kolkata: Alarmed by their team's non performance in the I-League, Mohammedan Sporting today sacked their Nigerian coach Abdul Bola Moshood Aziz bringing back Sanjoy Sen.
"He (Abdul) has failed to put in the side together, be it in formation or controlling the game. We have asked him to part ways in a message sent to him in Goa," club president Sultan Ahmed told PTI soon after the team's 1-3 away loss to Churchill Brothers today.
Having suffered two consecutive losses on the back of three goalless draws, Mohammedan have slipped close to the relegation zone, lying 11th with 13 points in the 13-team table.
The Trinamool MP said the club management had warned the coach for the last five matches but they were helpless now.
"We have given him so many opportunities. We'd been patient with him. But he has failed again. It's high time that we react to the situation. We feel Sanjoy is the best person to take charge," Ahmed said.
Highlighting the Nigerian's drawbacks, he said, "We have such a good side with Joshimar (d'Silva Martins) who is the leading scorer at the moment, while (Orji) Penn is doing well. But the coach has failed to bring out the best."
It was Sen who had guided the team to the top tier I-League after four years but the club had made a change in guard, roping in the 44-year-old Nigerian in June before the season began.
Under Abdul, Mohammedan Sporting had kicked off the season in style by winning the Durand Cup for the first time in 73 years.
However, their I-League performance was left much to be desired as they have lost six times and have only been able to win thrice from 13 outings.
Besides escaping relegation, the Federation Cup will be their target, Sultan said.
"We're looking forward to the Federation Cup. Sanjoy has previous experience and I hope he is able to bring out the best."
Meanwhile, the club will appeal the AIFF to waive the Rs 80,000 fine imposed on them for rude fan behaviour during their slender 2-3 loss to Bengaluru FC.
The Trinamool MP said he would call on Union Minister and AIFF boss Praful Patel in the capital to sort out the matter.
"We are a fan base club. It's up to the police to provide the law and order. Still, I would personally appeal to look into the matter. I will also appeal on behalf of our coach who was fined Rs 10,000," Sultan added.
Rangdajied United vs Mumbai FC match ends in a draw
Rangdajied United vs Mumbai FC match ends in a draw
Shillong: Under pressure to get themselves out of the relegation zone, Rangdajied United FC continued with another poor show at home and were held to a 1-1 draw by Mumbai FC in an I-League match here today.
Yohei Iwasaki broke the ice for the home team in the 19th minute to warm the hearts of the home crowd. Yusif Yakubu netted a game leveller 17 minutes later as Mumbai FC endured an extremely cold weather to take home a point.
A resurgent Mumbai FC came on full force denying the home side a full three points. They got a corner kick as early as the first minute after the whistle was blown but Nicholas Rodrigues failed to capitalise the opportunity.
Four minutes before Iwasaki scored the match's first goal, the home side came close to find the net but Mumbai FC goalie came out to clear a long pass from Edmar Figueira to Manandeep Singh.
The Japanese striker confidently netted with a header off a Mumun Lugun corner kick in the 19 minute of the game.
The visitors nearly equalised the following minute but the free kick by Rodrigues went a little too high above the bar.
The visitors failed to convert a number of opportunities even as their foreign import Yusif Yakubu made his way past few defenders and levelled the score with a powerful right footer.
Returning from the lemon break, both sides struggled to outwit each other on the artificial turf at the J N Stadium.
Rangdajied FC should have capitalised after the visitors were reduced to 10 men after referee red carded Sandesh Jhingan for his offensive elbow attack but they failed to do so.
After today's draw, Rangdajied FC gathered 12 points and were placed ahead of only Churchill Brothers FC who are at the bottom of the table.
