East Bengal tamed at home by Chennai

KOLKATA : East Bengal lost 1-2 to Chennai City in the I-league here on Tuesday, the home team’s Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia being unhinged by four of his compatriots who lined up for the visitors. This was East Bengal’s first loss in the league this term and it came in their first home game.

The year began with Chennai City defeating Mohun Bagan, a result which led to coach Sanjoy Sen resigning. Time will tell what impact this result has on their rivals across the Maidan.

A delectable free-kick from Spaniard Sandro Rodriguez in the second minute of first-half stoppage time put the visitors ahead. East Bengal equalised during a 10-minute spell of domination in the 52nd minute through Enrique Tirado who slotted into an empty goal after Surabuddin Mollick’s delivery had Chennai City’s backline focusing on Johnny Acosta who missed ignoring the Mexican who did not.

The matchwinner came in the 89th minute from a penalty converted by Nestor Jesus, also from Spain.

The penalty was awarded because East Bengal goalie Raksit Dagar fouled Pravitto Raju after a ball from Ajitkumar Kamaraj found him the clear. After four games, Chennai City lead the standings on 10 points while East Bengal stay on six.

After an early ball from Jesus went between the East Bengal’s central defensive pair of Acosta and Borja Perez, in the 19th minute, after Lalrindika Ralte lost the ball, Rodriguez found targetman Pedro Javier who failed to keep it on target.

From a more difficult angle, Jesus blasted over soon after East Bengal had equalised. “We gave East Bengal due respect but we could have won by more goals,” said Chennai’s coach Akbar Mohammad.