Kolkata: East Bengal rallied from a goal deficit to defeat leaders Dempo 2-1 and move up to third position in the I-League table after the conclusion of the ninth round encounter at Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.
Both the teams started off with caution, but the Goan heavyweights took an 11th minute lead through an easy Clifford Miranda strike.
But the red-and-gold brigade stepped up the gas striking through Penn Orji and Tolgay Ozbey in a space of 10 minutes to bounce back in style.
In a head to head finish, Nigerian midfielder Penn after receiving the ball from the Australian forward Ozbey brought East Bengal back into the game with a 31st minute equaliser.
With the duo showing excellent co-ordination, East Bengal went ahead in the 41st minute when Ozbey received a spectacular pass from Penn before finishing with a clinical shot.
East Bengal held their 2-1 lead and dominated the second-half without giving any chance for the Armando Colaco’s boys as the leaders dropped points.
With 19 points, East Bengal are now three points behind leaders Dempo.
Meanwhile, Pune FC warded off Salgaocar second half challenge to score an emphatic 3-1 win and move to sixth place.
Pune FC who led 2-1 at half time scored through Shanmugum Venkatesh(18th), Keita Mandjou(35h) and substitute Jeje Lalpukhlua(90th).
Salgaocar who fought hard as they dominated the entire second half scored the consolation goal through Ryuji Sueoka in the 23rd minute. (PTI)
