SHILLONG: Rangdajied United’s inspiring winning streak in the I-League ended on Sunday as the Blues lost to East Bengal 3-1 in Kolkata.
Ranti Martins scored his fourth goal in as many appearances for the club, but Hering Shangpliang’s men could not extend their recent brilliant home performances to the Salt Lake Stadium.
Three wins on the trot took Rangdajied up to eighth place, but Sunday’s defeat meant they dropped to ninth, following Mohun Bagan’s 3-1 victory at Sporting Clube de Goa.
Shillong Lajong FC also won 3-0 at home on Sunday, while in the other fixture, Churchill Brothers climbed off the bottom rung of the table by stunning Pune FC 3-2 in Goa with two stoppage time goals.
In Kolkata, Lamine Tamba was called for a foul in the box against Edeh Chidi, who opened East Bengal’s account by converting the penalty in the 16th minute.
An RUFC press release later suggested that Chidi had dived.
Rangdajied did not have to wait long for the equaliser, however, with Ranti heading home Dias’ well measured cross to score in the 30th minute.
The goal gave Rangdajied momentum as they created a couple of openings with East Bengal custodian Abhijit Mondal coming out quickly and making crucial interventions.
Then just before the break, the Red & Golds retook the lead as Reisangmi Vashum finished off a fine team move.
Joaquim Abranches sent Chidi clean through on goal and the Nigerian did brilliantly to set up Vashum, who scored his first League goal of the season.
Substitute Semilen Doungel sealed the fate of the game in the 55th minute as he latched on to a pass from Vashum and chipped over the onrushing goalkeepr Rehenesh TP.
The Blues are just four points ahead of new bottom outfit Mohammedan Sporting and they will need to quickly regroup as they will next face Salgaocar in Goa on March 29. (with agency inputs)