Kolkata: East Bengal clinched a record 28th IFA Shield title with a 4-2 win against United Sports Club in the penalty shootout after both teams played out a goalless 120 minutes in the 116th edition of the tournament at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Friday.
Having fumbled in the AFC Cup, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh played a stellar role under the bar with two fine saves in the shootout, enabling East Bengal clinch the issue.
In the premier tournament East Bengal made the most of it as they won the title for the first time in 10 years as their last Shield win had come in 2002-03 season.East Bengal dominated the proceedings right from the start but poor finishing saw the team fail to get a goal in the regulation time. However, it was a clinical effort in the shootout as East Bengal did not miss any with Ozbey, Khanthang Paite, Robin and Subodh Kumar settling the issue. (PTI)
