Kolkata giants defeat Sikkim lions by a late lone goal

SILASH TAMANG Gangtok, October 11: The Kolkata giants, East Bengal today defeated the Sikkim lions, United Sikkim Football Club (USFC) by a lone goal in the ongoing I-League being played here at Paljor Stadium today. The vociferous Paljor Stadium was a stronghold for the home side but silence fell on the crowd when super-sub Lalrindika Ralte scored the winner from a deflected free kick in the 82nd minute of the match.

 The 3 times National Football League, I-League titles and 8 Federation Cups Champs today set heaviness on the home side from the beginning. Multitudes of home fans today flocked Paljor Stadium to cheer up and support the Snow lions. The half time remained 0-0. In the early minutes of the match USFC, defender Sandesh rescued solo run of Edeh Chidi from the danger zone. The home side defenders misunderstanding nearly cost expensive in couple of occasions. Goalkeeper, Yoon Tae made excellent save of the curling freekick by Chidi from the 25-yard range. Just a few minutes late, Tae made another diving save shot by Chidi from the cross manufacture by Sahni. Mean while the home were troubling the giants by counter attacks. 

A good-looking freekick from the Costarican Micheal S Rodriguez nearly found the lead for the home side but was brilliantly saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Abhijit Mondol. In the second half, a good-looking run by Budiram Tudu was brought down in the danger zone where the stadium roared for the penalty, but the referee showed no interest on it. Kolkata’s Orji P Ikechukwu nearly found the lead, which just scaled away from the top bar on volley. A possibility of the net was for the home side was witnessed when Anwar close range shot deflected to a corner. Quick two substitutions made by Morgan putting in Sanju Pradhan and Lalrindika Ralte done the trick for the giants. 

Captian Mehtab Hossain was adjudged Man of the Match. With this win, the Kolkata giants are unbeaten in the past 23 matches with 19 wins and four draws. “I wasn’t expecting a win. The opponent was unknown, the environment was different and the boys were exausted due to travelling. But a win always gives fantastic feeling and the boys really played well”, said East Bengal Coach, Trevor Morgan. Adding more he said that the home team could do better as they have a good team and have great potential. 

“There are no regrets as the boys played well, said Philipe De Ridder. Key players are not in the team due to injury. “As a young team they make mistakes which can overcome with time, but they performed brilliant today fighting till the last minute”, he added. The next match of USFC is with Dempo FC on November 3, 2012.