Trevor Morgan still undecided on Adelaja as East Bengal’s third foreigner

East Bengal beat Bongaon XI 8-0 today. Xtra Time
East Bengal beat Bongaon XI 8-0 today. Xtra Time

Bongaon: East Bengal beat Bongaon Parishad XI by a huge margin of 8-0 today at Bongaon stadium. Nikhil Poojary scored a hattrick with 4 goals while Rafique scored a brace and Dika and Dong netted one each.

The match might have been a exhibition match but it was important to Red and Gold new Nigerian recruit on trial Adelaja. Adelaja was out of sources in this match and it is expected that he would not get full marks from Morgan and the next exhibition tie in Siliguri on 30th July is going to be his final deadline.

According to sources, Trevor Morgan will decide on the third foreigner after the Siliguri match. Bongaon XI is a very low quality side where Adelaja did not have to face any crunch situations but it is to be seen how the Nigerian performs in front of a good bunch of defenders.

East Bengal was leading 3-0 in the first half with Rafique scoring a brace and Dika converted a penalty. In the second half, Morgan changed the first xi almost only retaining Dibyendu, Rafique and Gurwinder. Nikhil Poojary and Bikash Jairu were electric on the midfield. East Bengal earned a penalty when Adelaja was trapped and pushed down in the penalty box.

The crowd’s craze was huge in the stadium with 10000 people came to see the match with tickets prize being Rs.20 and Rs.50. Last time the two teams met 4 years ago when the Red and Gold Brigade beat them 7-1 courtesy goals from Robin Singh and Chidi. Trevor Morgan could not remember about that match.

East Bengal club was handed over a cheque of Rs. 1.5 lakhs by the organisers along with a bouquet of flowers during the felicitation ceremony and before the match 1 minute silence was maintained for the demise of ‘Diamond’ coach Amal Dutta.