Vasco upset East Bengal

Vasco Sports Club, Goa put up a spectacular performance to emerge as giant killers edging out title holders East Bengal 1-0 in a sixth National football league match on Friday.

A spirited Goa not only held on to an early goal by Peter Rodrigues, but also put their stamp of authority in the match by coming within a whisker of scoring at least thrice.

The visitors, who held Mohun Bagan 1-1 at the same venue four days ago, quickly established midfield control and showed better understanding to find gaping loopholes in the ragtag East Bengal defence.

In the tenth minute, wing back Surya Chakraborty tried to find stopper Suley Musah who failed to follow the ball and Vasco medio Satish Minz was quick to intercept. He essayed a through for Rodrigues who shot home from top of the six yard box to the right of East Bengal custodian Hemanta Dora.

East Bengal, whose moves lacked cohesion early on, tried to regroup after the reverse and held sway midway into the opening session, but the Goans soon bounced back with their players swiftly changing positions to pulverise their rivals.

The locals again tried to seize the initiative early in the second session, but faded out as time wore on.

In the 60th minute, Dora had to throw himself on to the ground to thwart a Seby Dias header, while Brazilian Rui Wanderley Weis and Satish Minz muffed up golden opportunities for Vasco minutes from the final whistle.

National Football League - the complete coverage