E Bengal prevail

CALCUTTA: Formidable East Bengal defeated strong contender Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 in the first round of the Tata Tea-IFA Super League soccer at Salt Lake Stadium here today.

The match was organised just to complete the formality as both these clubs along with Mohun Bagan had already assured their places in the second round of the league which would be contested between five top finishers of the first round.

Dipendu put East Bengal in the lead in 34th minute converting a spot kick which was awarded when he was tripped inside the box by Mohammedan defender Soumen Sarkar. East Bengal kept up their pressure and buttressed the margin three minutes later. This time Dipendu collected the ball following nice through by medio Tushar Rakshit who beat a couple of defenders and scored.