Ruidas scores in EB’s 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC
Margao: Man of the Match Subrata Paul’s fine performance at the post helped Salgaocar FC hold Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in the 3rd round of the Hero I-League football here on Wednesday.
Salgaocar enjoyed better ball possession in the first half but the visitors put up an aggressive performance after the break, making inroads with repeated forays. Sony Norde, who was a constant threat to the rival defence, was denied by Paul on a couple of occasions.
Paul put up an inspiring performance, especially in the second half, bringing off at least three close saves.
When Paul was breached in the 58th minute after misjudging a spinning ball from defender Gurjinder Singh’s clearance, referee Santosh Kumar disallowed the goal due to a foul by Balwant Singh.
The first half was fought evenly with neither team’s defense giving away the ball. Salgaocar FC, got off to a good start and had the first chance to go ahead, but Bikash Jairu’s shot lacked power.
Bagan made inroads into the rival box with a long ball and Norde, who was a constant threat for the rival defence, had a couple of clear chances.
Norde troubled the rival defence with his speedy run but Paul was up to the task, coming out in the nick of time to deny him a goal in the closing stages of the first half.
After the change of ends, Bagan put up an aggressive performance with Norde nearly finding the net. Paul too made a diving save to put out Pritam Kotal’s stiff grounder.
Meanwhile, East Bengal’s Abinash Ruidas sneaked in a second-half goal to hand the team a creditable 1-0 win against defending champions Bengaluru FC in the Hero I-League football tournament, here on Wednesday.
The Federation Cup champions dominated the proceedings but they had to pay the price for their profligacy as Ruidas’ 53rd minute goal handed Bengaluru FC their second successive loss.
Bengaluru FC with one point are yet to win from three matches to slip to 10th place in the 11-team table, while East Bengal (4 points) climbed to fifth place.
It was Deepak Mondal, who put in a low cross to Ranti Martins but the Nigerian ace failed to direct it towards the goal as the young Ruidas deftly scored past a lunging Rino Anto to give East Bengal their first win from two matches.
Having lost to Pune FC at home in the previous outing, Bengaluru FC showed their intent clear as captain Sunil Chhetri who did not start in the last match was back in his position with Robin Singh.
Bengaluru FC could have taken a 15th minute lead but Joshua Walker’s clean strike from a Chhetri pass hit the crosspiece.
Minutes later Lyngdoh had a powerful 25-yard strike as East Bengal narrowly escaped after a close save by Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.
Bengaluru FC had their best opportunity in the 40th minute when Anto set up Sean Rooney with a clinical cross but the Aussie forward fumbled twice in front of an open net as they eventually had to pay the price for the costly misses.
(PTI)