The Hindu : Sport / Football : East Bengal begins on a winning note

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Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006

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Sport - Football

East Bengal begins on a winning note

Sports Reporter

KOLKATA: Former champion Kingfisher East Bengal made a winning start to the 10th edition of the National Football League for the ONGC Cup downing local rival Mohammedan Sporting by a late goal here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.

Indian captain Baichung Bhutia scored the winner in the 78th minute. The win helped East Bengal bag full three points ahead of its Sunday's crucial encounter against another former champion Salgaocar SC of Goa.

Inauguration

Earlier, the tournament was ceremoniously kicked-off by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mr. Buddhadev Bhattacharjee. On the performance front, both the teams showed a cautious hesitancy in going all out. The contest as a result remained mediocre and listless for a majority of the time. The strain of insecurity seemed to come from a state of under-preparedness that both East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting betrayed. Unable to find a quality foreigner so far, East Bengal's approach appeared frail and tentative. Though the new Belgian coach Philippe de Ridder has been able to improve the fitness and technique of the East Bengal outfit, the performance of the team lacked precision and finish. While Mohammedan Sporting was content with its defensive style, East Bengal was more forthright trying out different formations. But these efforts fell flat inside the penetrative zone as the opponent packed men in its own box.

East Bengal, being the more positive of the two, earned more opportunities. But the chances were squandered, in the absence of proper finish. The twist in the script came late as Mohammedan Soprting defender Wazid Ali erred in his effort to intercept a cross from East Bengal winger Shylo Malswamtluanga. The miscued clearance found an unchallenged Bhutia inside the box, and the striker found the net with a rasping left-footer.

Goalless draw

Defending champion Dempo Sports Club had to share points with its State rival Sporting Clube-de-Goa when their opening match ended in a goalless draw at Panaji on Tuesday.

Sporting Clube had a major share of the exchanges in the tie played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, but Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal, who was later adjudged `man of the match', denied it a win making several fine saves

Matches postponed

Meanwhile, the AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi announced that three matches, scheduled to be held here on January 18,19 and 20, would be postponedowing to a CII conclave that will take away majority of the security personnel. The fresh dates will be announced later.

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