MARGAO, Feb 28: Salgaocar and Bruno Coutinho captivated a passionate audience and conquered an hitherto unbeaten East Bengal (2-1) in a Super Six Coca-Cola National Football League (NFL) encounter at the Nehru Stadium.Much as it was a team effort that inflicted on the Calcutta side its first defeat in the NFL series this season, and the first in three months, the colossus that is Coutinho can simply not be played down.The former India skipper made one and scored the other, but more significantly, had East Bengal flustered and flummoxed with his repertoire of skills and reservoir of experience.It did much to inspire another effervescent display by attacking partner, youngster Alvito D'Cunha - scorer of the opening goal and galvanise Salgaocar into a slick display today.After dominating a barren first-half, D'Cunha struck for Salgaocar in the 50th minute and amid the electric atmosphere, Coutinho brought 30,000 adoring fans to their feet with the second goal that had class written all over it, threeminutes later.East Bengal, restricted to just two clear chances in the entire match, pulled one back through a penalty converted by substitute Dipendu Biswas on the three-quarter mark but Salgaocar, the adrenaline still running, were in no mood to provide the Calcuttans any respite.East Bengal's unlucky 13th match of the NFL series brought its own share of misfortune besides the defeat. Defender Jackson Agaypong collected a red in the 87th minute for two cautions in the match and Emmanuel Opoku another yellow, which means East Bengal will go into the match against bitter city rivals Mohun Bagan on Tuesday without two key regular players.Salgaocar will be a trifle concerned with the ankle injury to D'Cunha after Jackson's vicious challenge, but coach Shabbir Ali is hopeful he will play against JCT next Tuesday.The coach of Goa league champions attributed victory to a team effort, but neither he nor beaten coach Manoranjan Bhattacharya disputed Coutinho's immense role in today'soutcome.Bhattacharya's fears on his side's weakness in putting away early chances were not displaced. East Bengal went close with the match not quite three minutes old when Bhutia went agonisingly close from Renedy's pass.With the mid-field performing performing poorly, despite Renedy's return from injury, Bhaichung Bhutia and Raman Vijayan in the strike force appeared forlorn and frustrated.And with the Calcutta side restricted to just one more chance in open play, when Bhutia struck the bar towards the close of the first half, it was Salgaocar calling the tune to the incessant chant of a stadium full of expectations.The happenings may have scared coach Ali who has agonised time and again on Salgaocar's prodigality in the NFL. The Goans went close on numerous occasions in the first 45 minutes. Coutinho, D'Cunha, Nigerian withdrawn striker Jude Odegah and compatriot Habib Adekunle all but scored as the East Bengal defence buckled under pressure. The Calcutta side, however, were particularly fortuitousin the 20th minute.After initiating a pretty move on the right, Coutinho, steaming down the middle, blasted Jules Alberto's back pass goalwards only for Bibhas Ghosh to pull off a miraculous save. Praised by rival coach Bhattacharya for his commitment, alertness and constant movement on the pitch, Coutinho added to the discomfort of a harassed defence with an ominous sight at corners, free-kicks and throw-ins.
