Kolkata: Prayag United SC rode on Ranty Martins’ second-half strike to pip defending champions East Bengal and break their 14-match unbeaten run for their maiden IFA Shield title here on Wednesday.
The purple brigade also avenged their loss last year in the Shield final as Man-of-the-Match Martins’ 80th minute goal denied over-whelming favourites East Bengal a record 25th title.
In the repeat of last year’s final, which East Bengal had won on penalties, the giants looked like a shadow of their former selves as they missed opportunities while Edeh Chidi’s injury proved to be a big blow.
East Bengal had defeated Prayag 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out in last year’s final.
This was the young Kolkata team’s second big win after their 2010 Durand Cup triumph.
In pursuit of their record 25th titles, East Bengal were tentative to start with as they played a watchful game in the first 45 minutes.
Playing without their ace forward Chidi, who was benched because of a hamstring pull, East Bengal clearly struggled to get into the act.
The local giants sported a new look forwardline as super sub Andrew Barisic, who scored the game-changer equaliser in their semifinal win over Mohun Bagan, figured in the XI along side Baljit Singh.
East Bengal had their first good chance in the 21st minute but midfielder Penn Orji shot it over from a long ranger outside the box.
United also matched equally, putting pressure on East Bengal, who looked fatigued with hectic scheduling – both at home and abroad. They arrived here on Thursday after playing the AFC Cup in Vietnam.
Martins inflicted the damage with an angular shot from a beautiful right-footer from substitute Malswam Tulunga.
EB tried desperately and had some close calls towards the end but Prayag held on with their goalie doing a fine job under the bar for an anticlimactic end to the Shield final. (PTI)
