Minerva Punjab climbed to the second spot in I-League 2018-19 as East Bengal’s miserable run continued. The Kolkata side tasted their third defeat on the trot against defending champions Minerva Punjab on Tuesday at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
William Opoku scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute to seal three points for the visitors.
There were not many chances created in the first half as neither team failed to make any impact. The first shot on target came in the 23rd minute as Opoku entered the East Bengal box from the right. However, his shot went straight to Ubaid CK.
East Bengal hit back in the 26th minute with a free-kick just outside the box but Lalram Chullova’s shot was deflected off the wall.
The second half saw more intensity from both teams. East Bengal's Esqueda came close in the 63rd minute but his long range shot was saved by Arshdeep Singh.
Minerva Punjab maintained a constant pressure and finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when William Opoku slotted the ball home from Moinuddin Khan’s cross.
Bengla coach Alejandro Menendez made two changes in the East Bengal starting XI which went down 2-3 against Aizawl FC in the last match. Kassim Aidara and Brandon Vanlalremdika were included in the starting XI in place of Lalrindika Ralte and Laldanmawia Ralte. Samal Ali Mallick was introduced early in the second half in place of a misfiring Yami Longvah.
Punjab's Paul Munster too made two changes bringing in Akashdeep Singh and Bala Alhassan Dahir came in place of Arashpreet Singh and Donatus Edafe.
East Bengal are eighth in the league table after collecting just six points from five matches.