Kolkata: Defending Calcutta Football League champions East Bengal continued their winning momentum in the ongoing CFL beating Calcutta Customs 2-0, courtesy two late goals by defender Carlyle Mitchell on Wednesday at the East Bengal ground.
Playing their second game on the their home ground, East Bengal were without the services of captain Arnab Mondal, Mohammad Rafique and Nikhil Poojari, who have been called to the national camp to prepare for the upcoming tri-nation Tournament.
The Kolkata Giants began right from where they had left, attacking right from the word go, with Customs happy to defend deep attacking only on the counter.
Despite spending most of the first half in the opponent’s corner, East Bengal failed to score a goal, with their best chance of the half coming in the 27th minute when Brendon put in a brilliant cross which Plaza headed into the path of Laldanmawia Ralte, but with just the goalkeeper to beat, Mawia miscued his shot to send it wide of the near-post.
The first half ended goalless with the Customs defence thwarting everything that came their way. However, they were also helped with a poor performance from the Red and Gold brigade who failed to create an opening in the entire half after a brilliant show in the last match.
The second half started in a similar fashion with Jamil’s attackers failing to break down the resistance from the Customs defenders. However, the introduction of Cavin Lobo in the 66th minute in place of Richard Costa brought some momentum into the game. In the end it was his clever corner and an excellent free-kick which ensured that East Bengal walked away with the 3 points.
In the 77th minute Lobo took a smart short corner passing the ball to Samad Ali. Samad’s great ball into the Customs’ box was met with the powerful head of defender Carlyle Mitchell, who was at hand to score the opening goal for the defending champions.
It was Carlyle’s first goal for the club and he didn’t stop there, scoring a second goal with another header in the 93rd minute, from a Lobo free kick to maintain the club’s winning run in the campaign.
Although East Bengal won the match, it wasn’t a convincing show by the defending champions as most of the players looked out of touch. After a wonderful performance in the last match, hat-trick hero VP Suhair and midfield general Mahmoud Al Amnah failed to live up to the expectations. Willis Plaza who was trained separately by coach Khalid Jamil before the match also failed to make a mark in the game.
East Bengal next take on Peerless S.C. in and will definitely look to get back to good form, if they are to maintain the winning run in the campaign.