Boro scores on debut, Uilliams brilliant in comeback
KOLKATA: A fit-again Uilliams Souza Silva made a spectacular comeback to effect Shillong Lajong FC’s turnaround from two goals down to hold United SC and return to the top four after a round 18 I-League fixture here on Sunday.
United SC looked all set to dominate with goals from Eric Brown (13th) and Waheed Owolabi Adekunle (22nd) in the first quarter.
But debutant Durga Boro (30th) pulled one back after being set up by the Brazilian forward, who also scored a 55th minute equaliser to earn 2-2 draw and shatter United’s hopes.
The North East side have 24 points from 16 matches, compared to United’s 20 from 17 as the script for the United SC folded much like in their last match when Mumbai FC had scored a stoppage time equaliser.
Lajong are now back in fourth place, tied with Salgaocar on points, and behind them on goal difference, but ahead on the table thanks to a better head-to-head difference.
United at least got something out of the game and moved up one spot to seventh, displacing East Bengal, who lost to Dempo SC 1-0 in Goa.
Table leaders Bengaluru FC were held 1-1 by Mumbai FC in the other match.
Liberian forward Brown scored after Lajong custodian Vinay Singh had saved Waheed’s initial effort. The hosts continued to dominate proceedings with Lajong only carrying out one attack during the first 20 minutes with Boithang Haokip going wide.
The local challengers doubled their advantage when Waheed capitalised on a mistake in the Lajong defence and slotted past Vinay.
But the lead was then reduced at the half-hour mark thanks to some individual brilliance from Uilliams.
The Brazilian forward went past a couple of United SC defenders before setting up Boro, who found the back of the net with a neat finish.
That goal gave the visitors momentum as they started to see the ball more often with Uilliams looking dangerous but the hosts still managed to remain upfront until the break.
Uilliams scored the equaliser when he got on the end of a Robin Gurung pass and put the ball past United custodian Jayanta Paul.
Uilliams was making his return from injury in this game and he, and his team, could not have wished for a better performance.
The remainder of the second half was quite an even contest but only half chances were created from set-pieces.
Uilliams, though, had a couple of good opportunities with the best one coming towards the end when he was in a one-on-one situation against Jayanta but the Lajong forward could not hit the target.
Tolgay heads Dempo home
East Bengal called the shots at the start and controlled proceedings amicably but with Gurwinder Singh sent off for a challenge on Haroon Fakhruddin in the 44th minute, the Kolkatan giants were left with their backs to the wall.
Dempo eventually grew in confidence and Tolgay Ozbey, a former EB striker, helped Dempo win all points with a smart header in the 70th minute.
Mumbai stop Bengaluru juggernaut
Bengaluru could not shake off their Federation Cup disappointment and were unable to make use of home advantage as they were held 1-1 by 10th-placed Mumbai.
A barren first half led to an entertaining second that saw two good goals and a hatful spurned. Robin Singh (55th minute) cancelled out Mumbai FC’s Nigerian midfielder Ebi Sukore’s opener in the 47th..
The Reds will now have to get their skates on and travel to Goa for a February 28 fixture against Salgaocar, which will be the second of their five continuous matches away.
United, meanwhile, will get a bit of a break before coming to Shillong to take on Rangdajied United FC on March 9. (Agencies)
I-League 2013-14
Team P W L D GF GA Pts
Bengaluru FC 16 9 3 4 26 16 31
Sporting Clube de Goa 15 8 3 4 23 14 28
Pune FC 16 8 4 4 22 15 28
Shillong Lajong FC 16 6 4 6 22 24 24
Salgaocar FC 16 7 6 3 20 19 24
Dempo SC 17 5 5 7 16 17 22
United SC 17 4 5 8 18 20 20
East Bengal 13 5 4 4 18 13 19
Mohun Bagan 17 4 6 7 16 16 19
Mumbai FC 16 3 4 9 20 21 18
Churchill Brothers 16 3 7 6 15 21 15
Mohammedan Sporting 15 3 8 4 13 20 13
Rangdajied United FC 16 2 8 6 14 27 12