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[Blwe_torch]

Any news about the big match today?

[feverpitch]

East Bengal won 3-1. As usual, Salt Lake Stadium and referee did their bit. At 0-0, Dharamjit was brought down and then kicked on the head, but when he hit back, he got a red card. The EB stoppers went unpunished. After that, a succession of free kicks in favour of EB for even the slightest of tackles, led to goals by Chung Chung and Mama. Mehtab replied with one, but immediately, Tomba was hacked down and stretchered off. Again, no punishment for EB. At the very end, Gouranga scored a third for EB.

[Blwe_torch]

Hmm...fever, now it is confirmed that you are a MB supporter!
No problem.....so is my wife.
And I am an EB supporter traditionally thanks to my father's origin.

[Blwe_torch]

East Bengal runners-up in NFL

Medio Jayanta Sen's spectacular strike enabled East Bengal to a solitary goal win over JCT Mills, Phagwara, and helped them finish runners-up in the ONGC 10th National Football League tie in Kolkata on Monday.

The hard-working Sen followed up a Guy Endem square pass from the right and fired a snap right footer that went in off the hands of JCT custodian Kalyan Choubey, to boost the Kolkata club's points tally to 31 from 17 matches.

East Bengal wrapped up their NFL engagements behind Mahindra United (32 from 15 games), who have already won the crown. However, more importantly, the red and yellow brigade have now taken an unassailable seven-point lead over closest challengers and traditional rivals Mohun Bagan (24 from 15 games), who can at best hope for a third place finish.

The Salt Lake Stadium tie saw the two teams dish out a fast, entertaining variety of football in the first half, before losing steam post breather. The lacklustre second session experienced lots of bad passes, with the locals looking disjointed. The visitors, who have one game left, remained on 20 points from 16 matches.

JCT seemed aggressive from the outset, and but for a fine display from East Bengal goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar, could have caused trouble for the city club.

East Bengal also created several opportunities, but failed to increase their margin.

Set up by Alvito De'Cunha, Bhaichung Bhutia frittered a good chance in the opening half, by going to an acute angle.

East Bengal started off well after lemon time, claiming four corners within a short span of time, but lapsed into mediocrity as time wore on.

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/15nfl.htm

[Blwe_torch]

Bhutia backs EB coach Ridder


PTI

KOLKATA, May 17: Coming out in support of beleagured East Bengal coach Phillippe de Ridder, star striker Bhaichung Bhutia on Wednesday said the Belgian's credentials were better than names being talked about as his successor for next season.

"Finishing runners-up in the National Football League is a good result, and our performance is better than that in the last season," Bhutia said on the sidelines of a function.

Attributing East Bengal's failure to regain the NFL crown to a string of injuries to key players, Bhutia said "we could have done better, but there were problems. The team was also a trifle disjointed."

The striker, who displayed lethal form in the NFL to be placed second in the goalscorer's charts behind Dempo's Ranty Martins, felt that it was mainly due to Ridder's guidance that East Bengal did better than last season.

Speculation has been rife that peeved over Ridder's temperamental ways, East Bengal officials were looking for a replacement.

They have particularly taken umbrage at Ridder's perceived failure to hold the team together, with some footballers led by key Nigerian striker Mike Okoro resenting his way of functioning.

However, Bhutia strongly backed the coach.

On reports that Ridder could be shown the door by East Bengal, Bhutia said "I've been reading and hearing about this. But the names which are being talked about as his successor, are not better than the Belgian."

Bhutia also rubbished the allegation that several players were unhappy with the manner of Ridder's functioning.

"I think only one or two players are complaining. It is for the officials to find out why they are doing so. But overall, players are happy with him."

Bhutia felt that if Ridder was eventually shown the door, it would not be for his performance. "It will be due to other reasons. It may be because he had problems with some officials."

He parried a query about the club he would play for in the coming season, saying it was too early to comment.

http://sport.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1535548.cms

[bouncer]

Fever,

Sorry, EB rules....

[Blwe_torch]

Fever,

Sorry, EB rules....

Yes..EB rules!
But nowadays..with the NFL......I can't help but support MB/ JCT against any other team, save EB.