I-League: East Bengal win while Lajong FC go deeper in relegation zone

Dudu Omagbemi's brace powered East Bengal to a 2-0 win over Royal Wahingdoh as the victory took them to one point shy of the third-placed Shillong outfit in their I-League match at Barasat on Sunday.

Two minutes into the first half injury time, Dudu gave East Bengal the lead to silence the irate fans, who kept hurling abuses at their coach Eelco Schattorie at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in the outskirts of city here. Dudu slotted the ball into the far post after being nicely set up by Ranty Martins from a ball from Shylo Malsawntluanga.

The Shillong outfit missed a flurry of chances, Dudu doubled the tally in the 66th minute taking advantage of a defensive lapse to score infront of an open net as they brightened their prospect of a third place. With a game in hand - away match against Shillong Lajong FC on May 30 - East Bengal have 29 points, one point shy of Royal Wahingdoh.

There were some ugly scenes in the second half added time when East Bengal's Malswantluanga and Densill Theobald were involved in a bust-up as both were sent off straightaway. The day simply did not belong to Wahingdoh as they also missed a penalty when Theobald bungled from the spot in the 82nd minute and the comeback bid for the visitors was over.

I-League: Bengaluru FC stumble against Dempo and lose grip in title race

This was their second successive defeat by an identical scoreline - 2-0 against Mohun Bagan in the previous outing - as the qualifiers from Shillong signed off an otherwise impressive season on a low. Shillong Lajong FC were again pushed back to a relegation battle when they were beaten 0-1 at home against visiting Pune FC in the I-League football tournament.

An early goal from Zohmingliana Ralte denied the hosts' hope of a sure berth in next season's top bracket in the country. With 20 points from 19 matches, they were just two points ahead of bottom-placed Bharat FC.

Ralte headed the solitary goal of the match for visiting Pune FC as early as in the fifth minute when Lajong's defender failed to clear an Arata's corner. Lajong manager Thangboi Singto made four changes to his team's line up when Uilliams, David Gaite, Jibon Singh and M Singh were out. But their efforts at the goal mouth went in vain as Pune FC keeper A Singh thwarted striker Cornell Glen, Boithang Haokip and Penn Orji's forays.

Ten minutes later, Glen was brought down by Sobrosa just outside the box but a Penn Orji's shot hit the wall. Several other chances followed but luck was not on their side even as another powerful right footer from Len Doungel went just above the bar 20 minutes after the lemon break. Another chance came when Glen found the net near the one and a half hour mark but was ruled offside.

Pune FC went on to control the match and restrict the ball to the midfields in the second half of the match. After Sunday's match, Pune FC were comfortably placed at 5th position in the points table with 29 points while Lajong with 20 points were just a point ahead of second placed from bottom Dempo FC. The home favourites will lock horns with East Bengal this Saturday at home.