Brazilians rule Day I: EB, JCT win

Mohammedan Sporting seemed a lowly lot except for a glimpse of brilliance in the first half.

Biswas hit first, in the 20th minute, but Mohammedan Sporting playmaker Paul Nwachkwa beat three East Bangal defenders and provided an easy pass for medio Kulothungan, who made no mistake for the equaliser.

East Bengal were back in the groove quickly after the breather. In the 55th minute a curling kick by the Biswas was guided into the goal by an Edmilson header.

In the he 70th Edmilson beat five Mohammedan Sporting defenders beating the last line of defence too.

In the first match of the day Edu provided a treat for the JCT fans, witness to the thrills of soccer after the Santosh Trophy, way back in 1974.

JCT, spearheaded by the in-form Sunil Chhetri, were already looking threatening, but the presence of Edu, playing his first match on Indian soil, took the Vasco defence totally by surprise.

In the fourth minute a Vasco defender was involved in a foul tackle just off the box. Edu’s free-kick swerved into the target as the Brazilian celebrated with a somersault.

In the 44th minute Edu gifted his Brazilian teammate Marcos Pereira a pass to an open goal and Marcos made no mistake punting home.

Mathew Odje scored to bring Vasco back into the game in the 68th minute.

JCT substitute Praveen Kumar, combining with Edu and Baljit Singh Sahni put pressure on the rivals and Vasco defence crumbled. While trying to defend the curling kick by Sahni, Vasco defender Roberto Fernandes hit a self-goal in the 74th minute.

The defence under pressure, Vasco defender Oueterio Pango lost his cool and kicked the Baldeep Singh. He was marched out by the referee.