Kolkata: There’s no stopping East Bengal FC in the CFL Premier Division this season.
Bino George’s unbeaten brigade edged past Bhawanipore SC 1-0 in a top-of-the-table clash thanks to Jesin TK’s early penalty on Monday, taking sole control of their group and virtually sealing a place in the Super Six stage.
Both East Bengal and Bhawanipore came into the match with 19 points each.But George’s home team was handed an early chance to go in front when Bhawanipore defender Madan Mandi stopped Muhammed Roshal’s run with a tackle inside the box, forcing referee Tanumoy Sarkar to point to the spot.
Jesin didn’t make the mistake of beating the rival goalkeeper from the spot in the 7th minute. Jesin — who also scored in his Durand Cup debut against Downtown Heroes last week — has now emerged as the league’s leading scorer with 8 goals.
The result also meant that Bhawanipore suffered their maiden loss this season, thus leaving East Bengal as the solitary team to remain unbeaten. With 22 points from 8 matches, George’s team comfortably moved into the top of Group B, three points ahead of Bhawanipore and Calcutta Customs.
While defending champions Mohammedan Sporting and fellow challengers Mohun Bagan SG are struggling to make a mark, East Bengal youngsters seem to be in a dream run, without conceding a goal in their past five matches.
East Bengal need a win in their remaining 4 matches to clinch their passage to the championship round as one of the top three teams from the group.