Singapore: A stirring second-half performance by Chidi Edeh steered India’s East Bengal to a 4-2 victory over Singapore champions Tampines Rovers in an AFC Cup clash at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.
The Nigerian forward created two goals for Andrew Barisic, and scored one himself to send East Bengal to the top for Group H, ahead of Vietnam’s Saigon Xuan Thanh on goal difference.
Tampines were chasing all three points to stay in contention for the Knockout Stage and they had the first chance after only four minutes when midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman skewed a shot wide from inside the penalty area.
Khairul Amri then saw his header saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal’s foot 12 minutes in, before a defender blocked another shot by the Singapore international striker shortly afterwards.
However, it was East Bengal who took the lead on 18 minutes when Tampines defender Anaz Hadee tried to clear the ball from a corner only to send it into his own net amid confusion in the box.
The Indian Federation Cup holders could have gone 2-0 up two minutes later but goalkeeper Sasa Dreven tipped Mehtab Hossain’s 50-metre lob over the bar.
Tampines then levelled on 28 minutes when Serbian forward Sead Hadzibulic rose highest to head home off a diagonal lob from Shahdan, and the hosts looked set to press for more with their superior team play.
However, wasteful finishing by the reigning S.League champions kept the visitors in the game, and Edeh played a central role as East Bengal scored two quick goals shortly after the hour.
He first showed alertness to chase down a ball on the right before he squared for Barisic to finish easily from two metres out on 62 minutes. And he then finished off a counterattack led by compatriot Penn Orji two minutes later.
Amri pulled a goal back for Tampines within 60 seconds of Edeh’s goal to keep the score close, and Tampines threw on Jamil Ali and Aleksandar Duric in a bid to salvage a point.
But East Bengal restored their two-goal cushion with three minutes to go, as Edeh played another ball on the right for Barisic to bundle home.
East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan declared himself pleasantly surprised with the win, which put his team in a strong position to qualify, but stated he is not aiming to top the group.
“We would have been happy with a point, but this was a very, very open game,” said the Englishman.
“We’ve got a good start (in the competition), we’ve had seven points now and we’ve only played one home game. We’ll be favourites to win our two remaining home games, with them being played in the hot afternoon in Kolkota.
“But I’ve never set goals for this team; it’s impossible to set goals when we play in five or six competitions in a season. We’ll just take things one game at a time.”
Despite the defeat putting his team on the brink of AFC Cup elimination, Tampines head coach Nenad Bacina stressed the importance of staying upbeat for the return fixture in six days’ time.
“I think we didn’t deserve to lose by this scoreline, but congratulations to East Bengal, they took their chances,” said the Croatian.
“The players tried their best tonight, so there should be no regrets. The world will not stop because we lost a game, so we have to stay positive.”
Tampines were chasing all three points to stay in contention for the Knockout Stage and they had the first chance after only four minutes when midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman skewed a shot wide from inside the penalty area.
Khairul Amri then saw his header saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal’s foot 12 minutes in, before a defender blocked another shot by the Singapore international striker shortly afterwards.
However, it was East Bengal who took the lead on 18 minutes when Tampines defender Anaz Hadee tried to clear the ball from a corner only to send it into his own net amid confusion in the box.
The Indian Federation Cup holders could have gone 2-0 up two minutes later but goalkeeper Sasa Dreven tipped Mehtab Hossain’s 50-metre lob over the bar.
Tampines then levelled on 28 minutes when Serbian forward Sead Hadzibulic rose highest to head home off a diagonal lob from Shahdan, and the hosts looked set to press for more with their superior team play.
However, wasteful finishing by the reigning S.League champions kept the visitors in the game, and Edeh played a central role as East Bengal scored two quick goals shortly after the hour.
He first showed alertness to chase down a ball on the right before he squared for Barisic to finish easily from two metres out on 62 minutes. And he then finished off a counterattack led by compatriot Penn Orji two minutes later.
Amri pulled a goal back for Tampines within 60 seconds of Edeh’s goal to keep the score close, and Tampines threw on Jamil Ali and Aleksandar Duric in a bid to salvage a point.
But East Bengal restored their two-goal cushion with three minutes to go, as Edeh played another ball on the right for Barisic to bundle home.
East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan declared himself pleasantly surprised with the win, which put his team in a strong position to qualify, but stated he is not aiming to top the group.
“We would have been happy with a point, but this was a very, very open game,” said the Englishman.
“We’ve got a good start (in the competition), we’ve had seven points now and we’ve only played one home game. We’ll be favourites to win our two remaining home games, with them being played in the hot afternoon in Kolkota.
“But I’ve never set goals for this team; it’s impossible to set goals when we play in five or six competitions in a season. We’ll just take things one game at a time.”
Despite the defeat putting his team on the brink of AFC Cup elimination, Tampines head coach Nenad Bacina stressed the importance of staying upbeat for the return fixture in six days’ time.
“I think we didn’t deserve to lose by this scoreline, but congratulations to East Bengal, they took their chances,” said the Croatian.
“The players tried their best tonight, so there should be no regrets. The world will not stop because we lost a game, so we have to stay positive.”
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