Man of the Match: Alvito D Cunha (East Bengal)
East Bengal started the quick paced first half with a goal in the 10 minute when Chandan Das freekick landed in the back of the net. Das who scored his second goal of the tournament, curled the freekick past Bagan defense giving keeper Subrata Pal with no chance. However Bagan equalised five minutes later when much criticised striker Akeem dribbled past East Bengal defense and placed the ball into the net. While Bagan were looking to slowly get their noses in front and pressurise East Bengal's defense, Mike Okoro delivered a killer blow. The Nigerian headed home East Bengal's second in 30 minute of the game. After that it was the red and gold brigade who called the shots in the game. Alvito D Cunha scored his first goal two minutes from lemon break after a cool and composed finish to end Bagan's hope of making a comeback into the game.
Rejuvenated by their first half performance, East Bengal came close to scoring in 59 minute. A goal line clearance by alert Sanjay Parte rescued Bagan. Bagan defense which was clearly out of place against Okoro and company, conceeded the fourth goal in injury time. Alvito D' Cunha rounded off the match with the goal as Subhash Bhowmick's East Bengal turned up their best performance of the season. Ironically, Mohun Bagan lost to East Bengal by same margin on 13 July 1997 in Dutta's previous stint with green and maroon outfit.
East Bengal: Nasim Akhtar, Sasti Duley, Covan Lawrence, Arun Malhotra ( Gurpreet Singh), Suresh, Saumik Dey, Bernard Pires ( Kalia Kuluthungan), Chandan Das, Alvito D Cunha, Mike Okoro, Sydney Nkalanga ( Mama)
Mohun Bagan: Subrata Pal, Rajib Ahmed, Sanjay Parte, A S Feroze, Sanjib Maria, Noel Wilson ( Basudeb Mondal), Dharamjit Singh, Subhasis Roy, Harvinder Singh ( Jerry Jirsanga), Yao Rodrigues, Akeem ( Dipendu Biswas)
Referee: Subrata Sarkar
Linesman: S. Suresh, Udayan Halder
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