Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) Riding on their Ghanaian strikers’ performance, East Bengal got their third win on the trot, blanking Lajong FC, Shillong, 3-0 in an I-League tie at Barasat here Thursday.
While Abel Hammond scored a brace, veteran Yousif Yakubu netted once in the exciting game at the Vidyasagar stadium, 30 km from this metropolis.

Taking to the ground under their new coach Belgian Philippe de Ridder, the locals started off well, putting the rival defence under pressure several times with a series of coordinated attacks. Hammond and Yakubu combined well, with the medios lending good support.

Lajong were initially defensive, packing their defence with people, but opened up in the second session when East Bengal seemed in dire strait.

Hammond made the scoreline 1-0 in the 35th minute, as he followed up fast a superb forward through from Syed Rahim Nabi and placed home, foxing rival custodian Gumphe Rime.

Lajong came close to scoring once in the opening session, but a goalline save from Nabi aborted their effort.

Changing over, Lajong seemed a transformed side with Seikhohoa Tuboi pulverising the East Bengal rearguard with his speed and ball control.

However, 20 minutes of blitz soccer proved unproductive for the team from Meghalaya, and East Bengal hammered in two in the dying minutes to leave the field with an emphatic margin.

Hammond’s second goal came in the 90th minute as he intercepted a ball and launched on a free run into the box before finding the target.

Three minutes into injury time, substitute wing back Subhas Singh overlapped from the right, got past a defender and sent a measured cross to Yakubu on top of the 18 yards. The Ghanaian connected a firm right footer into the roof of the net.

Thursday’s win has propelled East Bengal to the fifth place with 12 poitns from eight games. Lajong are four points and four places adrift of the city giants.