East Bengal's woeful run in I-League continued as Salgoacar, riding on striker Ekene Ikenwa's brace, pulverised them 4-1 in a round 18 clash at the Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa today. Ikenwa spell the first blood in the 10 minute, when Cajetan Fernandes flicked his header off Francis Fernandes free kick into the far post which took East Bengal custodian Abhra Mondal by surprise(1-0). Five minutes later, Salgaocar Iranian defender Rouhollah Samieinia headed in the near post off Lester Fernandes spot kick pushing the visitors further back in the game(2-0). East Bengal narrowed the margin when Sanju Pradhan pulled one back in the 27th minute(2-1). Mehtab Hussain could have restored the parity at the stroke of half time but failed to give the desired direction as his left footer was just off target. After the break, it was Salgaocar all over the park with Man of the Match Ekene Ikenwa bagging two goals to register a famous victory against the Kolkata outfit. Ekene scored his first and Salgaocar third goal in the 52nd minute, when he headed in off a Rouhollah Samieinia cross from the left, while he completed his brace and sealed the match in Salgaocars favours scoring in the 59th minute. The win placed Salgaocar out of the relegation zone as they are now placed at the 10th place with 21 points, while East Bengal slided to the 11th spot with same number of points but their rivals are just ahead of them on the better goal difference.
This was East Bengal thirteen match without a win and 4th consecutive defeat in the return leg.
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