East Bengal win Federation Cup
I-League giants East Bengal held their nerve in extra-time to beat Dempo SC 3-2 and win the Federation Cup at Siliguri's Kanchanjungha Stadium on Sunday.
The win helped East Bengal secure their eighth Federation Cup title, although Trevor Morgan's men were forced to come from behind after prolific midfielder Climax Lawrence, thanks to a poor Saumik Dey clearance, had put Dempo ahead five minutes into the second half.
Central defender Arnab Mondal headed home Mehtab Hossain's free-kick on the hour mark to bring East Bengal level and ultimately send the game, watched by some 35,000 spectators, into extra-time.
Determined not to be outdone by the reigning I-League champions, East Bengal rallied to take the lead for the first time courtesy of a Manandeep Singh's strike after Dempo goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury could only parry substitute Lalrindika Ralte's effort in the 99th minute.
Striker Chidi Edeh extended East Bengal's advantage ten minutes later, and although Mahesh Gawli reduced the deficit in the 113th minute, it proved to be too little late for Dempo.