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Mohammedan Sporting sink East Bengal 2-1 courtesy to a Philip Adjah brace

Mohammedan Sporting Club's Philip Adjah Tetteh in action against East Bengal FC in the Calcutta Football League. (Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club)
Mohammedan Sporting Club's Philip Adjah Tetteh in action against East Bengal FC in the Calcutta Football League. Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club

Mohammedan Sporting Club buried East Bengal FC’s title hopes in the ongoing 2018/19 Calcutta Premier Division ‘A’ following a 2-1 win on Tuesday at Salt Lake Stadium.

Black Panthers scored scored twice late in the second-half through substitute Phillip Adjah Tetteh (87′ & 90+4′) to make Johnny Acosta’s opener (12′) count little.

Mohammedan SC began the game in attacking mode and created the first close chance in the first minute itself. Princewill Emeka did well to cut in past a couple of defenders from the left but his powerful drive sailed inches over the horizontal.

While East Bengal pressed high up, East Bengal managed to take the lead against the run of the play at the other end. Acosta capitalized on a defensive error to beat Mohammedan SC custodian Arup Debnath from close range in the 12th minute.

Having conceded early on, Mohammedan SC began attacking with intensity through Dipendu Dowary, Rahul KP and Princewill, but East Bengal managed to hold on defending deep as the first-half ended 1-0.

The second-half was a similar story as Mohammedan SC dominated majority of the proceedings looking for the equalizer and almost camped in the rival half. While they pushed up front, close chances fell for Prosenjit Chakraborty, Laltu Hembram, Princewill and Dipendu but the they lacked killer finish in the final third.

Technical Director Raghu Nandi brought on Adjah in place of Princewill in the 73rd minute as Black Panthers made a tactical change looking for the equalizer.

Mohammedan SC’s persistence finally paid off in the 87th minute when Adjah scored a brilliant solo goal to make it 1-1.

Having equalized, Mohammedan SC increased their pressure and attacked the rival goal ferociously going close on a few occasions. Mohammedan SC’s pressure yielded another goal as Adjah scored yet another spectacular goal to ensure full three points for Black Panthers.

The result saw Mohammedan SC climbed to the fourth spot on the log standings with 16 points from 8 matches and will take on Tollygunge Agragami next on Saturday at Barasat Stadium.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)