East Bengal rally to down JCT

Defending champions East Bengal staged a fine rally to snuff out a strong challenge from former champions Jagajit Cotton and Textile Mills, Phagwara, to prevail 2-1 in their fourth round match in the sixth National Football League, at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan ground, in Kolkata, on Thursday.

After medio Hardeep Singh scored a beauty with a right-footer to put JCT ahead early in the first half, Nigerian striker Omolaja restored parity for East Bengal in the 23rd minute.

Striker Dipendu Biswas nodded home a fine centre from Ishiaka midway through the second half to earn full points for East Bengal.

With this victory, East Bengal, after two lacklustre performances against Mahindra United and Mohun Bagan, have seven points from four matches.

JCT, who drew twice and lost one match, have two points from four outings.

The match never rose to any dizzy heights. East Bengal could have won by a bigger margin had their forwards converted the chances that came their way.

For JCT the three Hardeeps -- Sanga, Saini and Gill -- failed to combine well. Though they tried hard, their efforts were not enough to beat the red and yellow brigade.

Needing a victory to boost their morale, the hosts went into the attack right after the kick-off, but a powerful shot by striker Vijayan, yet to find his golden touch, missed the target narrowly.

JCT went into the lead against the run of play. Following a counter attack in the 17th minute, Ranjit Singh fed medio Hardeep Saini with a nice pass and Saini, without wasting any time, unleashed a powerful shot, which beat home 'keeper Sangram Mukherjee hands down.

The lead was, however, very shortlived as East Bengal, stung by the reverse, went all out and drew level six minutes later through Omolaja. The Nigerian striker showed fine opportunism. After collecting a clever through from Dipankar Roy, he shot home amidst roaring cheers.

Inspired with the leveller, East Bengal stepped up their attack and almost took the lead in the 43rd minute but Omolaja and Jackson failed to connect a cross from Isiaka with only the JCT custodian at their mercy.

The second session saw East Bengal maintain an edge for most of the time. After a series of attacks they finally got the match-winner in the 68th minute.

Following a fine centre by forward Ishiaka, substitute striker Dipendu Biswas, who came in place of Dipankar Roy, foxed JCT defender Balkar Singh and leapt in time to head the ball into the net.

In the 73rd minute, East Bengal were unlucky as Anit Ghosh's powerful shot hit the crosspiece after beating rival 'keeper Arvind Kumar. Then, in the next minute, Arvind saved the situation, scooping the ball from Omolaja's feet.

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