Reds go down to Salgaocar; East Bengal downs Royals
VASCO/MARGAO: Both Shillong Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh lost their respective matches of the Hero Federation Cup on Wednesday.
Salgaocar FC beat Lajong 2-1 to score their first win in the tournament in a Group B league match at Tilak Stadium in Vasco while a late injury-time goal by Dudu Omagbemi guided East Bengal to their first win as they edged past 10-man Royal Wahingdoh in the group “A” league match at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in Margao.
Salgaocar scored through Bikash Jairu (58th) and Gurinder Kumar (64th).
Shillong Lajong, who were at the receiving end for most part of the match, scored a consolation goal in the injury time through Jacob Lalrawngbawla (90+3).
Salgaocar, who lost their first match against Bengaluru FC, have three points from today’s win. Shillong Lajong, who suffered their second defeat, are yet to open their account.
Salgaocar started promisingly as they looked for an early goal but the rival keeper came out with some good saves to deny Pierre and Duffy early success.
The Durand Cup champions Goan side probed more often into the rival box but were frustrated by the rival keeper Vishal Kaith who twice denied Bikash Jairu from taking the lead. First, he made a diving save and later he leaped high to tip the ball over the bar from a long ranger.
However, the best chance for Salgaocar came midway in the first half but Gilbert Oliveira, who was unmarked inside the rival box, shot wide off the target after he was fed by Jairu.
Salgaocar kept on moving the ball from the flanks and Bikash Jairu, who was denied by the rival keeper twice in the first half, finally scored after the change of ends as he beat an off side trap and met a Duffy through pass in the 58th minute.
Nine minutes later, Salgaocar went 2-0 ahead when Gurinder Kumar nodded home a Thangjam Saran Singh corner.
Lajong, who looked listless in the first half, had a couple of chances. But Subrata made a diving save from a Samuel Shadap shot and then a Dungel feeble shot off Jacob Lalrawngbawla did not trouble the keeper in any way.
Lajong scored a consolation goal in the injury time as Jacob Lalrawngbawla’s effort from the right took a deflection off defender Kasunde before landing into the net.
Meanwhile, East Bengal enjoying numerical advantage after their opponents lost Lalmangaihsanga for a dangerous foul on Abhishek Das, were all over the rival half but met stiff resistance by rival defender Loveday. But the Northeast citadel finally fell in injury time as Dudu header found the net.
East Bengal thus opened their account with three points from today’s win after their lost their opening match against Dempo FC, while Royal Wahingdoh remained on three points from two matches.
Royal Wahingdoh FC started from where they left as they attacked from the start and Jackichand Singh, who scored two goals in their win against Mumbai FC forced rival keeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury to make a diving save early in the third minute.
A minute later, Subhasish came out to narrow the angle and thwart Beekay Bawar from scoring.
However, the Shillong team received a setback in the 15th minute after midfielder Lalmangaihsanga was red carded by referee Vairamuthu for a dangerous foul on Das as his studs hit the chest of the East Bengal defender.
East Bengal played a composed game thereafter and dictated terms over their rivals and came close to scoring on couple of occasions after meeting stiff resistance from their opponent defenders.
Lalrindika Ralte sent in dangerous crosses on couple of occasions, which saw Dudu header going straight into the hands of keeper Nikhil Bernard midway in the first half. Few minutes later Ralte again sent a curling cross, which went a begging as three rival players including Ranti Martins failed to connect.
Royal, who did well in defending their fortress, had a chance to score in the dying minute of the first half but Seityasen Singh header lacked the direction to beat Chowdhury.
East Bengal continued to enjoy ball possession even as they made attempts to score but the rival defenders continued to frustrate them with good tackles.
However, the Kolkata side succeeded in finding the net midway in the second half but Martins, who chipped the ball after Dudu headed the ball goalward, was ruled off side by the referee.
With East Bengal pressing hard in search of the elusive goal, the Northeast side, who was dangerous in its counter attack, came with a couple of speedy moves but Jackichand’s try was off target.
East Bengal, who were in the opponent half in the entire second half, finally found the winner in the last minute of the injury time.
Following a flag kick, East Bengal played a short pass and Dudu, after missing on few occasions, found the net with a header to give East Bengal their first win.
