The heavily hyped Kolkata derby ended in a stalemate at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata after East Bengal and Mohun Bagan played out a 1-1 draw in an I-League encounter on Saturday. In another match, league leaders Bengaluru FC’s title chances took a blow after they lost 2-3 to Rangdajied United in Shillong.
James Moga opened the scoring in the 39th minute for East Bengal. Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa was without Odafa Okolie and he started with CS Sabeeth up front. The Kerala player duly rewarded his coaches faith in the 67th minute who tapped into an open net after a mistake by EB custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. East Bengal are in eight spot with 20 points, but have played four games less than Bagan, who are a place below on equal points.
In Shillong, Rangdajied new boy Steven Dias put the home side ahead with a peach of a goal in the 16th minute. Dias was involved in his team’s second goal in the 31st minute. His cross was headed in by Lalnunpuia.
Bengaluru came out firing on all guns in the second half and scored two goals in two minutes around the half-hour mark through skipper Chhetri and Aussie striker Sean Rooney. But their spirits were broken by a 76th minute winner from Ranti Martins. Bengaluru are still on top with 31 points.