Minerva win, add to East Bengal’s agony

KOLKATA: By the end, the banner slung across the middle tier reminding them of 15 years of hurt didn’t seem incongruous in an East Bengal that has a new corporate partner and a new coach.

A third successive defeat in the I-league, this time 0-1 to defending champions Minerva Punjab FC here on Tuesday, may not obliterate chances of a maiden title but even as winter hits town, the team is feeling the heat.

“We shouldn’t panic. We need to keep working and hope for some luck,” said East Bengal’s Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez after an evening made miserable by William Opoku’s 77th minute goal.

Speaking softly after his goal lifted Minerva Punjab FC to 11 points from seven games, Opoku said he knew he would beat East Bengal’s central defenders Johnny Acosta and Borja Gomes because he is faster.

After letting East Bengal take the game to them in the first half, Minerva Punjab FC rung in the changes in their bid to force a win. The more attack-minded Donatus Edafe and Moinuddin replaced central midfielders Bala Dahir and Akash Sangwan. East Bengal had begun the second half briskly but couldn’t force a clear chance barring a long-range drive by Enrique Tirado that was too close to goalie Arshdeep Singh. Singh also kneed out a Joby Justin bid for an equaliser deep in second-half stoppage time. East Bengal conceded when on the break Opoku, one of the players retained by the defending champions, exploited space at the back and goalie Ubaid CK’S error in judgment.

Minerva Punjab FC’S coach Paul Munster said they came here wanting to win. Introducing more attacking players in the second half helped them create more chances, he said. Edafe missed in the 68th minute and was replaced two minutes later, his stint lasting all of 19 minutes. “In a game like this, you need to take your chances,” said Munster.

Opoku did after Edafe’s replacement Makan Chote forwarded charge to Moinuddin whose cross from the left looped in front of goal. With Ubaid not leaving his line on time, Opoku didn’t have to do much.

ISL: BLASTERS DRAW AGAINST JAMSHEDPUR

KOCHI: A maiden home win continued to elude a wasteful Kerala Blasters FC as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Tuesday.

Carlos Calvo put Jamshedpur ahead from the spot in the 66th minute before Seiminlen Doungel’s equalised in the 77th minute.