I-League 2017-18: East Bengal salvages another disappointing draw against Minerva at home

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Brandon after scoring the goal for East Bengal. Image Source: Hotstar

Kolkata: East Bengal managed to draw against the table topper Minerva Punjab FC in a must win match at Barasat Stadium on Tuesday. The home side started very positively but the table toppers Minarva kept it compact to deny the Red and Gold from scoring. Minerva relied on their counter attacks as they had the lead and it came from a corner in the 20th minute as Sukhdev Singh scored from a pass of Kamalpreet Singh. In the 32 nd minute Bhutanese striker Chencho scored to double the lead as he snatched a ball from Bazie Armand and kept his eyes on the ball and went towards the penalty box and kept his calm to get his sixth goal in this I-League.

This could have been another defeat for the Kolkata giants when Katsumi Yusa failed to score from the spot kick as Minerva goalkeeper Kiran Limbu saved. Laldanmawia Ralte brought down in the penalty box though it was debatable whether it was a dive from Ralte.

In the 59 th minute Jobby Justin scored from a brilliant header as Katsumi delivered a curl in ball from a corner kick. In the 89 th minute Brandon gave a lifeline to the red and gold brigade but it was very late as it was the must win match for them.

Supports were furious and chanted “Go Back Khalid” and “Go Back Nitu Sarkar”, who is a top East Bengal official.

Despite the draw Minerva didn’t play spirited football as they tried to waste time in the field.   East Bengal played well in the second half as they managed to score twice. Limbu was awarded as the Hero of the Match.