FC Kochin, East Bengal register home wins

Kochi, Kolkata:

FC Kochin, facing relegation to the second division, surprised Salgaocar, Goa, with a 2-1 win to garner full points in a crucial match in the sixth National Football League in Kochi today. The Goans, after muffing a couple of chances, were rewarded when Kochin medio Muhammed failed to tackle a clearance. Denis Cabral took possession and sent in a long through pass to Ambrose in the opponent's territory. Kochin players,hoping for an off-side call, did not intercept and Ambrose shot home, to the surprise of the local outfit, who made a vain protest. Even before the Goan celebration could die down, Kochin were awarded a penalty after Salgaocar captain Coven Lawrence handled a flag-kick inside the box. Kulothungan, who took the shot, beat 'keeper Juje Siddi to level at one all. Kochin then increased the pace of the game. Bijumon,who put up a sterling display, got possession on the left flank, cut into the box and took a shot on the run, which deflected off Coven's leg into the net, much to the delight of the holiday crowd. East Bengal get past Punjab Police Defending champions East Bengal recovered after conceding an early goal to prevail over Punjab Police 3-1 and move up to the fifth spot in the sixth National Football League in Kolkata today. Nigerian Omolaja Olalekan struck twice while Dipendu Biswas scored from a spot kick for the winners after Parveen Kumar put the Punjab side ahead in the initial minutes of the outing. After playing scrappy football in the opening half, the home team improved their showing in the second session holding complete sway over the proceedings. Punjab Police, on the other hand, matched their opponents early in the game, only to fade out as time wore on. Midway into the second half, East Bengal's domination was so complete that all their defenders were constantly seen in the opponent territory. East Bengal, who were placed seventh before the match, have now gone two rungs up the ladder leaving behind Mahindra United and ITI, Bangalore, in the points tally. The fancied city outfit have now accumulated 32 points from 20 exchanges, but Punjab Police continued to be the wooden spooners with only nine points from the same number of matches as East Bengal. (PTI)