JCT edge out East Bengal by solitary goal

Ludhiana, Nov 22 (UNI) After two consecutive defeats, JCT, Phagwara took full advantage of their home turf to notch up a solitary goal win over East Bengal in the ninth round of their I-League encounter here today.

The lone goal for the winners came off a penalty in the 68th minute which was netted by their profilic scorer, Eduardo D'Silva, the Brazilian striker. The win will come as a morale booster for the millmen who had lost their last two matches against Air India and Mohun Bagan.

The millmen dominated the match right from the word go and should have won by a wider margin had not their strikers missed some easy chances. For most part of the game East Bengal remained on the defense and the only time they showed som aggression was after Eduardo had netted to penalty to give his side the lead.

After a goalless first half, JCT playing on home turf got desperate and launched one offensive after another. In the 68th minute Eduardo beat the East Bengal defense and sent a pass to Baldeep, who was brought down in the box just as he was about to take a shot at the goal and the refree awarded a penalty kick amid protests from the Kolkata players.

Eduardo's low shot to the left side post gave no chance to the East Bengal custodian who went the wrong way. Stung by this reservse, Sunil Chetri, a former JCT player alongwith his fellow strikers made desperate forays into the rival defence but the millmen held them at bay to emerge victorious.

With this victory, JCT collected full points to take their tally to 12 points, the same as the Kolkata side.

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