The Hindu : Sport / Football : Sporting Clube shocks East Bengal

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Thursday, Mar 22, 2007
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Sporting Clube shocks East Bengal

KOLKATA: Sporting Clube de Goa shocked home favourite East Bengal by notching up a 2-0 win in a ninth round match of the ONGC National Football League here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.

Looking for effective inroads into the opposition goal right from the start, Sporting Clube shot into the lead in the 20th minute. Nigerian striker Ernest Jeremiah, who had turned out in East Bengal colours two seasons ago, played the lead scoring both the goals to ensure his former employer's defeat.

Shaky opposition

The visitor made good use of long passes to unsettle a shaky opposition defence. The first goal came off a long lob from defender Felip Gomes, which was finished by Jeremiah. The home side helped the visitor further by unsuccessfully trying out an off-side trap.

East Bengal earned a couple of chances in the first session but none could harm the opposition as the East Bengal strikers — Brazilian Edmilson Marques and Nigerian Bonface Ambani — fumbled inside the striking zone. Sporting Clube picked up the insurance goal early in the second session (50th minute) as Jeremiah put the finishing touch to a Dudu Omagbemi assist.

The win helped Sporting Clube tally 12 points and improve its position in the current league standings. On the other hand, East Bengal remained on 15 points from its quota of nine matches. — Principal Correspondent

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