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Kingfisher East Bengal overcame a spirited challenge from HAL Bangalore to defeat them 2-0 in the 16th Round I-League encounter, played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, on Saturday.
Both the teams started on aggressive note. But the host find it increasingly difficult to get past the visitors defence in the first half.
It was HAL who stole the show in the first half and came very close take an early lead, in 20th minute when RC Prakash brilliantly took a volley but alert East Bengal goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh punched the ball away to safety.
Though both the team kept attacking each other goalpost but much to the disappointment of the crowd the first half remained goalless.
Changing over, East Bengal seemed to have came out with some resolution. Their persistent effort finally gave them lead, when on a perfect cross from Sanju Pradhan, Saumik Dey scored the first goal in 65th minute for Red and Gold brigade.
Spurred by the first goal red and gold brigade became all more dangerous, and it paid off in the 89th minute when Penn Orgi found the back of the net to score second goal on a unselfish pass from Brazilian, Edmilson Marques who had earlier replaced Tolgay Ozbey upfront in 76th minute.
The scoreline remained unchanged till the end to hand HAL Bangalore their 13th defeat of the League.
With this win East Bengal now have 33 points from 16 matches while HAL stays at 3 points from 16 outings.
Round 7th match between the two teams was won by East Bengal by 8-1.
Sanju Pradhan (East Bengal) was adjudged man of the match.
