Ashim's second half goal helps East Bengal hold Sporting to 1-1 draw

Margao, Apr 25 (UNI) An 81st minute goal by 'Man of the match' Ashim Bishwas helped East Bengal hold Sporting Club de Goa to a 1-1 draw in the ONGC National Football League championship match at Nehru tadium, Fatorda today.

Nigerian Earnest Jeremiah scored for Sporting in the 6th minute while Ashim Bishwas equalised in the 81st minute for East Bengal.

With this drawn match, East Bengal increased their points tally to 23 points and moved on to the third spot whereas Sporting took their points tally to 19 points.

Sporting could have won the match outright had their strikers were quick in grasping the advantages before them, specially in the first half.

Sporting got off to an aggressive start right from the word go and drew first blood as early as in the 6th minute through Ernest Jeremiah of a pass from Dudu Omagbemi to make it 1-0.

Inspired by an early lead, Sporting strikers and midfield attacked constantly and came with couple of good moves. In the 20th minute, it was Joseph Pereira and Dudu's fine combine move during which Dudu guided the ball to better place Jeremiah who missed the sitter from hand shaking distance.

Then in the 32nd minute, Sporting had another good chance to increase the lead, however, East Bengal goalkeeeper Rajat Ghose Dastidar brought off a fine save off a powerpacked long ranger shot from the right flank by Rajesh Meetei.

Trailing by a goal at the breather, East Bengal accelerated the pace of their game and made some desperate attempts for the eqaliser. In the 60th minute, Ashim Biswas gave a good cross pass to Izumi Arata but his header was well blocked by the rival goalkeeper.

East Bengal managed to restored the parity in the 81st minute through Ashim Biswas following a flag kick by Chandan Das to make it 1-1.

UNI