Kolkata: Kingfisher East Bengal put their title aspirations back on track with a 1-0 win over Salgaocar SC, in the 21st round I League encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan on Sunday. Tolgay Ozbey scored the winner in the 55th minute for the Red and Gold.


In the 8th minute Baljit Singh Sahni beat Salgaocar custodian Karanjit Singh, only to blast his shot over the goal. In the 28th minute Penn Orji showed his magic dribbling past the entire Salgaocar’s midfield and then passing to Robin Singh who passed to Tolgay Ozbey but the Australian stirker put his shot wide.


The half in which both the teams looked off colour ended goalless. Though East Bengal came close on quite a few occasions to take lead, but failed to convert the chances.

Changing over, the Red and Gold brigade came out with purpose. Soon Tolgay run past Salgaocar’s defenders with only Karanjit to beat but he put his shot wide.


He, however, made amends a few minutes later when he headed home off Robin Singh cross to score the only goal of the match. Raju Gaikwad played the ball down the left to Robin Singh who put in an accurate cross for Tolgay to score past Karanjit in the 55th minute.


Edeh Chidi’s penalty appeal for a handball was turned down for Salgaocar SC in the 70th minute. But it was East Bengal who dominated the second half and created far more chances then Salgaocar.


The Red and Gold thus turn around their two previous defeats against Salgaocar in this season and now have 38 points from 21 matches while Salgaocar SC stays at 36 points from 21 outings.


East Bengal’s Tolgay Ozbey was declared man of the match.

By Indian Sports News Network