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Nigerian striker Ranti Martins bagged a brace as East Bengal defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 3-1 in the 150th Calcutta Football League derby in front of a crowd of around 80,000 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday evening.
Ranti opened the scoring in the 12th minute from a penalty, which was won by Cavin Lobo after being brought down inside the box by Mohun Bagan debutant Fatai Adisa Alao.
But Mohun Bagan responded well and equalised eight minutes later through CS Sabeeth, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Abhijit Mondal.
At 1-1, Mohun Bagan looked the better side and went close through Katsumi Yusa and Balwant Singh with East Benganl custodian Abhijit looking unconvincing.
However East Bengal could have gone in front when Ranti headed over the bar from close range after a trademark long throw from Raju Gaikwad.
The red-and-gold brigade eventually took the lead before the interval when Joaquim Abranches’ long-range effort from a freekick took a deflection off Fatai and beat Mohun Bagan skipper and goalkeeper Shilton Pal.
Armando Colaco’s side should have increased their advantage at the start of the second period when Ranti picked out New Zealand World Cupper Leo Bertos inside the box but East Bengal’s marquee foreigner blasted his effort off target.
East Bengal didn’t have to wait long for their third goal though as Ranti headed home Abranches’ cross to net his second of the game.
Arnab Mondal nearly made it 4-1 from a corner as East Bengal looked comfortable with their two-goal cushion.
Even the introduction of their marquee foreigner Pierre Boya couldn’t bring Mohun Bagan back in the game while at the other Ranti wasted a golden opportunity to score a hattrick on his derby debut.
Substitute Shylo Malswamtluanga also squandered a great chance for East Bengal as Mohun Bagan escaped a thrashing while another Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbemi also made his debut for East Bengal after coming on as a substitute in the second half
East Bengal not only won the bragging rights but moved above Mohun Bagan in the CFL championship round table. EB are on ten points while the Mariners have nine with both teams having five more fixtures remaining.
