Three-time winners East Bengal missed chances aplenty but managed to prevail over Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club 3-2 in a National Football League match in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Edmilson Marques found the target twice, while Bonafice Ambani netted once for the winners, who now occupy third place on the league table with 19 points from 11 games.
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In contrast, HASC further jeopardised their position in the relegation fight as they continued to bring up the rear with six points from 11 outings.
Kuttimani and Xavier Vijaykumar got the goals for the Bangalore outfit.
The Salt Lake stadium match, played under lights saw East Bengal go into the lead as early as in the eighth minute following a good attack from the left. Ambani addressed a cross for Brazilian Marques, who scored.
The scoreline became 2-0 in the 19th minute. Ambani let loose a searing long ranger that deflected off the upright into the goal.
HASC narrowed the lead seven minutes later, as a cross from skipper Vijaykumar found East Bengal custodian Abhra Mandal fumbling. The ball popped out from Mandal's hands and Kuttimani, who followed up well, put the ball home.
East Bengal enjoyed a clear edge for most of the game, though HASC worked hard to match their famed opponents in the second half.
In the 79th minute, East Bengal got their third goal as a Dipankar Roy cross from the right was nicely chest-trapped by Edmilson andslammed home.
However, HASC again reduced the lead to a minimum two minutes later when Xavier Vijay Kumar scored from close.