Snap goal gives East Bengal victory

Despite missing a spot-kick, leaders East Bengal got the better of Indian Telephone Industries 1-0 in a National Football League match, in Calcutta, on Saturday.

After an unproductive first half, the city giants' Nigerian striker Omoloja Olalekan scored the all-important goal in the 56th minute with a snap power-packed shot from inside the rival box which took the ITI defenders by surprise. In a last ditch-attempt, ITI custodian N Balaji dived to his left, but couldn't prevent the ball from grazing his hand and finding the net.

Though East Bengal called the tune right through, there was nothing much to shout about in the match, as both teams were guilty of poor coordination. ITI's woes were compounded in the 60th minute when they were reduced to ten men as their skipper K V Dhyanesh was given marching orders following his second booking, after bringing down East Bengal custodian Sangram Mukherjee. Referee Vinod Kumar Singh had earlier flashed the yellow card at the stopper in the first half for an unfair charge on Dipendu Biswas.

Two minutes from time, East Bengal's Nigerian medio Isiaka was brought down inside the ITI penalty area by Balaji, prompting the referee to point to the dreaded spot. However, Dipendu Biswas, who looked off-colour right through, was a bundle of nerves and muffed the chance.

After 15 matches, East Bengal have 34 point while ITI have just 15 points.