Salgaocar flatten East Bengal

Salgaocar flatten East Bengal
Salgaocar…4   East Bengal…1
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, MARCH 29
Salgaocar Sports Club demolished East Bengal 4-1 in an 18th round match of ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Monday. Salgaocar led 2-1 at half time.
Salgaocar Nigerian striker Ekene Ikenwa scored a brace while Cajetan Fernandes and Iranian defender Rouhollah Samieinia chipped in with a goal each. Sanju Pradhan scored the only goal for East Bengal.
Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa’s men put up a spirited display which devastated the East Bengal citadel.
It was midfielder Cajetan and his cool finishing which gave the host team the lead in the 10th minute following a foul committed by East Bengal defender Mehrajuddin Waddo. The resultant free kick taken by Francis Fernandes was headed by Cajetan who beat advancing Abhra Mondal under the bar.
The superior fitness and agility level of Salgaocar were too much for the Kolkata team which struggled to launch the offensive.
Salgaocar doubled the lead in the 15th minute through Iranian Rouhollah Samiena. East Bengal’s stopper back Uga Okpara brought down Salgaocar striker Keita Mandjou  outside the penalty box and the resultant free kick taken by Lester Fernandes  was beautifully connected by Rouhollah Samiean whose diving header  beat the rival goalkeeper hands down.
It was midfielder Sanju Pradhan who gave East Bengal the reducer in the 27th minute. Striker Subash Singh fed Beingaichho Bekhokhei, who in turn essayed it to Sanju and the latter slotted past Salgaocar custodian Kalyan Chaubey.
East Bengal came close to equalising but Ghanian striker Yakubu Yusif’s feeble try went straight into the waiting hands of the Salgaocar goalkeeper.
In the injury time, East Bengal let go an easy scoring opportunity as midfielder Mehtab Hossain muffed a sitter with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy.
After the lemon break, Salgaocar attacked with renewed vigour and consolidated their position in the 52nd minute when striker Ekene Ikenwa nodded home a well measured cross from Rouhollah Samieana.
East Bengal could have reduced the margin subsequently, but midfielder Beingaichho Bekhokei was the worst culprit as his feeble shot went straight into the safe hands of the Salgaocar goalkeeper.
Having a 3-1 cushion, Salgaocar’s striker Ekene Ikenwa completed his brace off a diagonal cross from Francis Fernandes.
Salgaocar were unlucky in the dying minutes when Francis Fernandes’ try hit the goalpost much to the dismay of the Salgaocar supporters.
The win takes Salgaocar out of the relegation zone as they find themselves at the 10th place with 21 points. East Bengal plummeted to 11th spot also with 21 points but are placed below Salgaocar due to inferior goal difference.