East Bengal 4-3 Chirag United Kerala: Tolgay Ozbey's double postpones crowning of I-League champions
The Red and Gold keep their bleak title hopes alive by overcoming Chirag United Kerala in a seven-goal thriller...
By Anselm Noronha
AIFF
East Bengal defeated Chirag United Kerala 4-3 in the a round 25 I-League match played at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan, Kolkata, on Monday.
Man of the match Tolgay Ozbey scored two goals in the 32nd and the 54th minute after Penn Orji broke the deadlock for East Bengal in the 25th minute.
The visiting side had David Sunday's hattrick (37', 41' and 48') to show, but it wasn't enough as Robin Singh's 77th minute strike proved to be the winner for Trevor Morgan's unit.
Anything less than a win in this match would have resulted in East Bengal conceding the title to Dempo Sports Club who now need only a point to be crowned champions.
Three minutes after Robin Singh put down a chance created by Tolgay Ozbey, the Aussie striker's shot was parried by Chirag Kerala keeper Sharath Kuniyil but Orji was at the right place at the right time to tap home the rebound in the 25th minute.
After a couple of more missed chances, Tolgay Ozbey found the back of the net with a solo effort, to double his side's lead in the 32nd minute.
Then in the 37th minute, Chirag Kerala managed to reduce the margin when David Sunday got the better of East Bengal defender Gurvinder Singh before sending his left-footer past Sandip Nandy.
Just four minutes later, Sunday struck again as the Chirag Kerala player found the equaliser with a low header which landed in his path after K Asif's initial attempt on goal.
Crossing over, in the 48th minute, Sunday scored his third goal of the evening to put the Southern team in the lead for the first time in the match. The Nigerien striker stormed past rival defender Uga Okpara before forcing Sandip Nandy to pick the ball from his own net.
In the 54th minute, however, Tolgay Ozbey got East Bengal back on level terms after Okpara's shot off Soumik Dey deflected towards the Australian, who finished it off with a volley from around six yards out.
Both sides were locked at a scoreline of 3-3 until the 77th minute when Orji found the run of Robin Singh who scored the winner to earn his side full points.
With this win, East Bengal have moved within nine points of league leaders Dempo (53) with 44 points from 23 matches, while Chirag Kerala who remain on 17 points from their 23 matches are destined to face relegation from the top flight.
Man of the match Tolgay Ozbey scored two goals in the 32nd and the 54th minute after Penn Orji broke the deadlock for East Bengal in the 25th minute.
The visiting side had David Sunday's hattrick (37', 41' and 48') to show, but it wasn't enough as Robin Singh's 77th minute strike proved to be the winner for Trevor Morgan's unit.
Anything less than a win in this match would have resulted in East Bengal conceding the title to Dempo Sports Club who now need only a point to be crowned champions.
Three minutes after Robin Singh put down a chance created by Tolgay Ozbey, the Aussie striker's shot was parried by Chirag Kerala keeper Sharath Kuniyil but Orji was at the right place at the right time to tap home the rebound in the 25th minute.
After a couple of more missed chances, Tolgay Ozbey found the back of the net with a solo effort, to double his side's lead in the 32nd minute.
Then in the 37th minute, Chirag Kerala managed to reduce the margin when David Sunday got the better of East Bengal defender Gurvinder Singh before sending his left-footer past Sandip Nandy.
Just four minutes later, Sunday struck again as the Chirag Kerala player found the equaliser with a low header which landed in his path after K Asif's initial attempt on goal.
Crossing over, in the 48th minute, Sunday scored his third goal of the evening to put the Southern team in the lead for the first time in the match. The Nigerien striker stormed past rival defender Uga Okpara before forcing Sandip Nandy to pick the ball from his own net.
In the 54th minute, however, Tolgay Ozbey got East Bengal back on level terms after Okpara's shot off Soumik Dey deflected towards the Australian, who finished it off with a volley from around six yards out.
Both sides were locked at a scoreline of 3-3 until the 77th minute when Orji found the run of Robin Singh who scored the winner to earn his side full points.
With this win, East Bengal have moved within nine points of league leaders Dempo (53) with 44 points from 23 matches, while Chirag Kerala who remain on 17 points from their 23 matches are destined to face relegation from the top flight.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ranti Martins Striker Prayag United |
27 | 3 |
|
Odafa Onyeka Okolie Striker Mohun Bagan |
20 | 3 |
|
Edeh Chidi Striker East Bengal |
18 | 3 |
|
James Moga Striker East Bengal |
16 | 0 |
|
H. Antchouet Striker Churchill |
14 | 1 |