Lifeless contest ends East Bengal's slim title hopes as Sporting hold them goalless

EAST BENGAL OFFICIALLY fell out of the I-League title race when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sporting Clube de Goa at Barasat tonight.

The match, played in high heat and humidity, seemed like a drab affair from the get go as neither team was ready to push themselves; opting to play safe.

Sporting coach Mateus Costa decided to re-introduce Odafa Okolie into the starting line-up; a move that wasn't much of a help as the Nigerian striker picked up an injury early on and had to leave the field some 12 minutes in.

East Bengal got a chance when Sanju Pradhan ran up the right flank, sent the ball in for Do Dong-hyun who mis-timed the finisher and Sporting keeper Arindam Bhattacharya easily collected it. Then Dong-hyun set up Ranti Martins who tried to back-heel it in and missed it altogether.

Rowlin Borges was putting in some hard work for the visitors, taking a corner and trying his luck with a long ranger none of which was anywhere near the intended target range. For East Bengal, Sanju Pradhan tried to invade again but Mehrajuddin Wadoo came to the rescue.

The second half began with East Bengal almost finding a break-through; Ranti Martins had space in scoring range and he shot, but an onrushing Arindam Bhattacharya kept it out. Ranti had a second go but Arindam saved that too and kept Sporting in the game.

But things became worse for the vistors when Mehrajuddin Wadoo picked up two quick yellow cards, sealing his sendpoff by fouling Lalrindika Ralte and putting his studs on him. Down to 10 men, Sporting Clube de Goa were now desperately trying to stay in the game.

Dong-hyun came in with another shot on goal but Arindam denied him. Then Sabeeth had a golden opportunity to put the home side ahead but shot wide.

Then East Bengal defender Narayan Das took down Joseph Clemente and treated him to his heels a la Mehrajuddin Wadoo. And he too got his marching orders for that action. Both sides were now down to 10 men. But there were only 5 minutes left on the clock.

The away team, happy with a point, did well to waste time and see out the rest of the game. The final whistle brought in the final nail in the coffin of East Bengal's title challenge; one that they should have kept alive tonight if only by name; but could not due to sheer fatigue and lack of will.