CFL 2018: Peerless SC stuns East Bengal

Having drawn the previous match 2-2 against Mohun Bagan, the loss against Peerless dealt a bigger blow to East Bengal which tallied 20 points from six wins, two draws and a loss.

The result dealt a blow to East Bengal’s aspirations of retaining the title for the straight ninth occasion. (File Photo)

Peerless SC surprised defending champion East Bengal FC 2-1 in a Premier Division-A match of the Calcutta Football League, here, at the latter’s home ground on Thursday. The result dealt a blow to East Bengal’s aspirations of retaining the title for the straight ninth occasion as it slipped below its traditional rival Mohun Bagan in the current standings. Liberian midfielder Ansumana Kromah, who turned out in East Bengal colours in the I-League, earlier, this year, put his new employer Peerless in the lead in the sixth minute as the former struggled to put its act together in the defence. Peerless had more opportunities in the first half, but failed to convert them. East Bengal came back into the game late in the 71st minute when its Senegalese midfielder Kassim Aidara found the equaliser. But, the East Bengal joy was short-lived as Narahari Shrestha restored the lead for Peerless in the 77th minute.

READ: Mohun bagan thrashes FCI 5-0 Having drawn the previous match 2-2 against Mohun Bagan, the loss against Peerless dealt a bigger blow to East Bengal which tallied 20 points from six wins, two draws and a loss. With two more matches remaining for each side, Mohun Bagan enjoyed the advantage with a three-point (23 points from nine outings) lead on top of the table.  The result: East Bengal 1 (Kassim Aidara 71) lost to Peerless SC 2 (Ansumana Kromah 6, Narahari Shrestha 77).