JCT shock East Bengal

Defending champions East Bengal suffered a huge setback, losing to JCT Mills, Phagwara, 1-2 in an exciting Tata National Football League match in Ludhiana on Wednesday.

The defeat halted the brief resurgence of the Kolkata giants, who had earlier beaten Mahindra United 2-1.

Following the defeat, East Bengal, who suffered their sixth defeat, have 20 points while JCT, with this second victory, have 10, from 14 outings.

JCT, who were struggling at the bottom of the league table, put up a remarkable display and went into the lead through a Shivinder Singh goal. Singh scored off a pass from Hardip Saini. His shot beat goalkeeper Sudip Sarkar hands down.

Trailing 0-1 at half-time, East Bengal went all out for the equaliser and levelled the score in the 58th minute through Amalraj.

But JCT, who played their hearts out today, shocked the champions in 68th minute when Balkar Singh headed home a beautiful cross from Hardip Saini to clinch the issue.

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