An injury minute strike by Dudu Omagbemi helped East Bengal revive their title bid with a narrow 1-0 win over Indian Arrows in a Hero I-League football match on Sunday.
Winless from four matches, East Bengal had virtually given up on their title hope, squandering at least half a dozen chances but the veteran Nigerian’s 90+3rd minute header gave them a fresh lease of life in a nail-biting finish. With five matches remaining, East Bengal (23 points) jumped past arch-rivals Mohun Bagan (20) to reclaim the third spot, four points shy of leaders Neroca FC (27).
It was heartbreak for Indian youngsters as they put up a stellar defence, only to fall short in the dying minutes as East Bengal managed to keep pace in the title race with the injury time winner. East Bengal, who won by a 2-0 margin in the first leg in New Delhi, will next face second-placed Minerva Punjab in an crucial away fixture on February 13.
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