Bhutia blasts EB

CALCUTTA, Jan 7: There were no surprises in a Group B National Football League match at the Salt Lake Stadium today. East Bengal beat FC Kochin 2-0 with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring both goals, one in each half. While the first was a beautiful header off a Renedy Singh flag-kick, the second was a penalty conversion at the fag end of the match.

Skipper KV Dhanesh played well for Kochin in the first half, but faded after the break. In fact, Dhanesh created the first scoring opportunity for his team in the 11th minute with a measured cross from the left. Mohamed Shafiq, however, could not reach the ball. The Kerala side got another opening in the 23rd minute when Ghanian Abu Jomo put Dhanesh clear. The captain8217;s attempt was saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Bibhas Ghosh.

Those two moves apart, Kochin did little of note in the first half. Even though the defence was sticking to its task, the defenders underestimated Bhutia8217;s agility in the 35th minute. Renedy Singh8217;s flag-kick floated towards the six-yard box andBhutia was airborne in a flash. The header entered the goal neatly even before the Kochin defenders could turn.

The second goal a result of spot-kick awarded to East Bengal after Kochin defender Prabhjot Singh handled Saroj Das8217; shot inside the box in the 87th minute. Bhutia calmly converted to put the issue beyond Kochin.