CALCUTTA (India): East Bengal slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Aizawl FC in I-League here on Friday as their season of woes continue.
It was their fifth defeat after Argentine midfielder Matias Veron scored in 76th minute to seal a crucial away win for the Mizoram side.
Aizawl moved up to the seventh position while East Bengal went down to the eighth position. Both teams now have 11 points from 10 matches.
East Bengal coach Mario Rivera made five changes from the side which lost to Indian Arrows in the previous match — Samad Ali Malick, Asheer Akhtar, Abhash Thapa, Kassim Aidara and Ansumana Kromah replaced Kamalpreet Singh, Marti Crespi, Abhishek Ambekar, Tondonba Naorem and Marcos Jimenez.
The Calcutta side, who has drawn flak from fans for their listless run in the competition, enjoyed possession in the first half but failed to create chances while Aizawl relied on the counter-attacks.
Kromah had a great opportunity in the 23rd minute, but his shot hit the upright. Jaime Santos Colado and Brandon also spurned chances that could’ve given them the lead.
Rivera introduced Pintu Mahata at the hour mark replacing Lalrindika Ralte and brought Juan Mera in the middle.
Aizawl’s counter-attack paid off when they took the lead against the run of play after Justice Morgan put Veron, who slotted home with a low shot.
