Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) East Bengal’s woeful form continued as they crashed out of the 122nd Durand Cup with a shocking 0-1 loss to newly promoted I-League club Lajong while arch-rivals Mohun Bagan demolished ONGC 5-1 in the quarterfinal league stage here Wednesday.
Having suffered the ignominy at the hands of TFA colts and Chirag United in the IFA Shield, East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick hoped for some revival in the Durand Cup. But a 62nd strike from Kyrshan Lynsingh dashed all hopes as Lajong registered their biggest win in top-flight and qualified for the last four.

After the pathetic performance at the Ambedkar Stadium against the energetic Lajong, Bhowmick’s job will now surely be under fire. The stunned silence in the bench after the loss summed up the mood for the beleaguered Kolkata team that completed a hat-trick of defeats in the season.

It was in complete contrast to what happened earlier in the day as Mohun Bagan riding on a brace each from Surkumar Singh and Edeh Chidi and a solitary strike from Jose Barreto claimed their stake for their 17th Durand Cup title.

For Lajong coach Stanley Rosario it was a sweet revenge as we he was sacked from East Bengal in the later stages of the I-League earlier this year.

The East Bengal defence was completely caught off-guard against the speedy attacking duo of Daniel Bademi and Boithang Hoakip. Bhowmick’s decision to play Meejrajuddin Wadoo in the sweeper position did not click as the India international failed to link well with the back-line.

Upfront, Argentine striker Sebastian Omar Monesterolo and Subhash Singh lacked the penetration power while the ageing Alvito D’Cunha was hardly noticeable in the midfield.

Lajong started on an attacking note right from the start and poor defending from East Bengal saw goalkeeper Abhra Mondal coming out far ahead from his position at least twice in the first 10 minutes.

After goalless first half, Lajong showed urgency for the goal and in the 62nd minute Lynsingh slotted in after a good pass from Bademi. East Bengal came close on a couple of occasion in the last few minutes but Gumpe Rime’s inspiring performance under the bar took Lajong into the semis.

Earlier, fresh from their IFA Shield final loss to Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan put on a clinical performance against ONGC.

The Green and Maroon brigade from Kolkata could have won by a bigger margin, but Jose Barreto missed a penalty. The Brazilian, however, atoned for it in the 43rd minute by scoring a brilliant goal in the group two match of the tournament.

The 16-time champions took went ahead in the ninth minute after an unmarked Surkumar hit from a rebound off James Singh’s perfect flag-kick.

Nigerian Chidi came close to double the lead in the very next minute but missed the sitter after being set up by James. The Nigerian striker finally found the net six minutes later after he scored from a goalmouth mêlee to stun the hapless ONGC defenders.

In the last 10 minutes, Mohun Bagan were all over and Chidi completed his brace in the 82nd minute from Shanta Kumar’s precise pass. Surkumar struck again in the dying minutes with a long ranger to complete the tally.