East Bengal beat Salgaocar FC 1-0 to claim their 200th league win

Ranti Martins scored his 200th goal in I-League to complete East Bengal’s 200th league win

Ranti Martins scored the only goal of the game in the 55th minute to secure East Bengal’s win against a formidable Salgaocar side at Kolkata. With today’s three points, they just about remain afloat in the I-League title race.

East Bengal wanted all three points from this game after a disappointing 1-1 draw last week against Mumbai FC at home. Any point loss would have ended their title hopes. Eelco Schattorie just made two changes in the starting lineup. Abhijeet Mondal replaced Luis Barreto under the bar and Gurwinder Singh in place of Milan Susak.

Salgaocar were also desperate for three points as they are struggling mid-table. Derrick Periera made three changes in his starting XI from the previous game against Sporting Clube de Goa which they lost.

The teams failed to entertain the viewers in the first half as neither could create any positive chances to score. East Bengal marginally dominated the overall possession.

Ranti Martins had a chance to score in the first half through a long ball from Arnab Mondal. It reached the Nigerian who received the ball well and lobbed it over the on-rushing Subrata Paul. Unfortunately, he was accused of fouling the Salgaocar custodian and a free kick was awarded to the away side.

The Red and Gold brigade began the second half on a more positive note. Within 10 minutes of the second half, East Bengal rallied forward in numbers to fetch the first goal. Robert floated curling cross from the left flank. Ranti Martins was at the precise position and converted a clinical header to clinch his 200th goal in the league.

His compatriot Dudu Omagbemi also fired the ball into the net in the 61st minute, but it was disallowed due to offside.

Salgaocar went out all guns blazing in the latter stages of the game. On a few occasions, Abhijeet Mondal came to the team’s rescue and pulled off some excellent saves to ensure the three vital points. East Bengal move up to fourth position in the league table with 23 points from 14 games. They are still very much in the title race while Salgaocar slowly fade away from the scene.