Federation Cup: Mumbai FC hold East Bengal, Bengaluru pip Lajong

Vasco/Margao (Goa) Jan 2 (IANS) Riding on substitute striker Robin Singh's goal, Bengaluru FC edged past Shillong Lajong 1-0 while East Bengal finished goalless with Mumbai FC in Federation Cup group encounters Friday.

Introduced by English coach Ashley Westwood after the breather, Singh found the mark in the 50th minute by slotting home an inch-perfect pass from Sunil Chhetri at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

With the win, Bengaluru go atop group B with five points from three games. After playing the same number of matches, Lajong bring up the rear without any point in their kitty.

In the Group B encounter later in the day at the Nehru stadium in Margao's Fatorda, Mumbai would rue their missed chances which denied them full points.

Both teams moved to four points but stayed where they were in the pecking order with their chances hanging on the balance to make it to the semis with a must win situation in the last encounter.

East Bengal goal-keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury was in fine form pulling off a double save from Mohammed Rafi and Brazilian Josimar da Silva in the first half, and deflecting another Silva attempt from close on to the post.

The closest East Bengal came to scoring in the first half was when Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbeni's strike was on target and his countryman Chika Wali Mumbai's defender almost put it through his own net, the ball however went out for a corner.

Armando Colaco the East Bengal coach rang in the changes bringing in the experienced Shylo Malsawmtulunga in place of an ineffective Cavin Lobo at half time, and post the hour mark took off Joachim Abranches to field in Mohammad Rafique.

But the outcome remained the same, however hard Colaco tried to push for the win.

The chance of the half fell Mumbai FC's way. With thirteen minutes left on the clock, Climax Lawrence's corner from the right was headed towards the Goal by Silva which Roy Chowdhury pushed onto the bar.