Prolific Martins scores as East Bengal tries to catch up with Mohun Bagan
Gameweek 17 of the Hero I-League saw Mohun Bagan retain their lead at the top of the table with a convincing victory against Pune FC while East Bengal and Bengaluru FC remained in the chase with victories of their own.
Gameweek 17 of the Hero I-League saw Mohun Bagan retain their lead at the top of the table with a convincing victory against Pune FC while East Bengal and Bengaluru FC remained in the chase with victories of their own.
East Bengal defeated Dempo 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Dudu Omagbemi (FC Pune City) opened the scoring for the Red and Gold brigade after just 22 minutes. The home side doubled their advantage three minutes later when Ranti Martins (FC Goa) scored his 16th goal of the season in just 15 games. Martins also provided the assist for Dudu’s opener. Winger Shylo Malswamtluanga (Delhi Dynamos) added to the Goan team’s woes with a third goal in the 64th minute. The away side, however, managed to pull a goal back when they were awarded a penalty after Sushil Kumar Singh (Mumbai City FC) was fouled in the box. Tolgay Özbey (FC Goa) stepped up to slot the spot-kick home.
Mohun Bagan maintained their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Pune FC at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune. The match started at a frantic pace, but the away team drew first blood when Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC) slotted home after just six minutes. The goal came after the Pune defence failed to clear the ball after it came off the post from a Denson Devadas (Chennaiyin FC) chip. Katsumi Yusa’s goal in the 75th minute was enough to seal off the victory.
Mumbai FC picked up a crucial point in their bid to avoid relegation after holding Royal Wahingdoh to a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Guwahati. Korean recruit Seong-Yong Kim scored for the home side while Josimar Martins scored the opener for the visitors.
At the same venue, Shillong Lajong lost 3-1 to Salgaocar FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. The Green and Whites went into the break 3-0 up owing to strikes from Augustin Fernandes, Bikash Jairu and Douhou Pierre while Uilliams Bomfin scored the only goal for the home side in the 62nd minute.
Bengaluru FC continued their title push with a convincing 2-0 away win against Bharat FC at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune. Eugeneson Lyngdoh and CK Vineeth found the net for the Blues.
