East Bengal lose, out of AFC Cup

Thu, May 15 01:15 AM

EAST BENGAL needed to win this match to keep alive hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup. But reduced to 10 men, they lost 0-1 to Ahli Sana'a at the Ali Mohsen Al-Muraisi Stadium, Yemen, on Wednesday burying their chances of repeating the 2004 show.

Ahli Sana'a scored a minute before the breather through striker Ali Al Nono. East Bengal, who stayed on seven points, were reduced to 10 men after Majek Bolaji picked up his second yellow card a minute from time.

Ahli Sana'a were the better side in the first half and got their first chance in the 11th minute when Fuad Al Ammari's shot was saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Subrata Pal. The crosspiece then denied the hosts when Ahmed Ibrahim Kellil's long-ranger rattled the woodwork.

Dempo stay in the hunt In Margao, Ranti Martins and Chidi Edeh scored twice each as I-League champions Dempo boosted hopes of a place in the quarter-finals with a 5-2 victory over Sur club of Oman. Skipper Martins scored on the half-hour mark before adding a second in the 38th.

Chidi fired in a third and Dempo were cruising when Climax Lawrence made it 4-0 in the 72nd minute. The visitors hit back through substitute Mohammed Al Sinani and captain Mohsin Al Harbi but Chidi netted his second in the dying minutes to ensure Dempo finish with 10 points.

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