East Bengal outclass Dempo 5-3 in NFL tie

Kolkata, Mar 26 (UNI) East Bengal etched another classy victory humbling Dempo 5-3 in the National Football League tie here tonight.

East Bengal now have 18 points from nine matches while Dempo remained on ten points from nine matches.

First goal came for hosts in the 13th minute when Okoro moved up from the left and sent a square pass to Ndem. Nigerian John Dias with the deft body feint took a rasping volley that bulged into the net albeit a flight deflection of Majek Bolaji (1-0).

The second goal for East Bengal saw the king of Indian soccer at his best. Thirty five minutes into the match Bolaji back passed to goalkeeper Satish Kumar with Baichung chasing the ball. The goalkeeper in turn sent a forward pass that Baichung intercepted and volleyed home on a half turn to make it 2-0 for the hosts.

Minutes later Satish was replaced by reserved keeper Avijit Mondol.

East Bengal conceded a goal as complacency set in. Thirtyfour minutes into the game Joaquim Abranches took an innocuous freekick and Bolaji was allwoed a free header. The trajectory bounced off the upright and rechocheted off Naism Akthar shoulder and entered the net 2-1.

At half time the hosts were leading 2-1.

Baichung was at his best incisive run, mind boggling dribble and effervecence upfront left the Dempo defence on tenterhook. He combined brilliatly with Sashti Duley, Rahim Nabi and Okoro and Martial to set up the pace for East Bengal.

East Bengal came near scoring into the eight minute of the match when Nabi made a mess of a fine backflick from Duley.

In the second half Debrato Roy came in for Kuluthangan and proved to be a super-sub and eventually Man-of the Match. EB's third goal came in 69th minute when Baichung spirnted down the middle and flicked the ball for Dipankar Roy to the right whose cross was flicked into the net by Debobrato (3-1). Two minutes later Rahim Nabi capped a brilliant solo with a powerful volley that found target (4-1).

In the Seventy sixth minutes Dempo earned a penalty when Cliford Miranda was brought down by Anupam Sarkar. Ranty scored from the spot kick (4-2). Immediately the counter attack by Debobrato found the mark with a brilliant volley (5-2). Five minues from time Demo reduced another goal when Ranti followed a ravanan cross with a low header that found the target making it 5-3 in favour of the host.

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