ITI stun holders East Bengal

Kolkata:

Underdogs Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) capitalized on defensive lapses to pull off a stunning 2-1 victory over defending champions East Bengal in the National Football League at the Salt Lake stadium here today. The Bangalore outfit conceded an early goal but bounced back brilliantly with two strikes in quick succession to leave their fancied opponents in a daze in front of their home ground. East Bengal striker Omalaja Olalekin put his team in the lead as early as the ninth minute but the telephonemen fetched the equalizer just two minutes later through striker Kenneth Onu while Mohammed Salisu slammed in the match winner eight minutes before the interval to seal the fate of the glamour club. The home team were a pale shadow of themselves as neither their attacks nor their defence seemed to click and the visitors took full advantage of the lapses, particularly by the defenders. ITI outfit could have pumped in a few more goals in the fast-paced second session but their forwards were guilty of muffing a few gilt-edged opportunities much to the dismay of their coach Krishnaji Rao. The stunning victory against the defending champions helped ITI to consolidate their position on the points table, having secured 10 points from 6 matches. East Bengal have also collected 10 points from as many outings. (PTI)