Play-by-Play: Shivajians' 2nd half comeback negated by late Plaza winner as East Bengal taste first victory of the campaign

EAST BENGAL OVERCAME a late resistance from home team DSK Shivajians to ensure the first vicory of their I-League 2016-17 campaign by a 1-2 margin.

The visitors came in with the intent to go for an early lead and it showed when Willis Plaza caught keeper Soram off his position and would have found the net had Sasha not made a goal-line clearance. Bu soon afterwards Soram fouled Wedson inside the box and it was a penalty, which the Haitian striker slotted in with ease.

The Shivajians tried to make a comeback, mostly through attacks up the flanks trying to find Kim Song-yong in the middle, but at half-time the visitors were firmly in the lead.

But  not long into the second half, DSK pushed for an equalizer, and a shot blocked by East Bengal keeper Rehenesh went straight to an onrushing Gouramangi Singh who found the net with ease. 

But as the game moved into its final minutes and a draw seemed imminent, a quick shot from close range saw Willis Plaza finally come through and get the lead back for the visitors and ensure they came out victorious.

This is the second loss in a row for Dave Rogers's DSK Shivajians. The club finished at the bottom last season, saved from relegation by corporate club immunity, but this time they wanted to make a point of showing they belong in the league but so far it has not worked out well. 

Morgan, meanwhile, will be happy to get 3 points out of this game. East Bengal were held to a draw and getting a win was essential to get their title challenge back on track. The Red and Golds will be especially happy with the way their two foreigners, Willis Plaza and Wedson Anselme, have already started delivering.

Here's how the match went down, narrated in detail through our real time updates of the game...