Jordan's Al Wihdat tame East Bengal 4-2 in AFC cup

Kolkata, Apr 16 (UNI) Jordan's home league winners Al Wihdat today trounced a fighting East Bengal 4-2 in the in crucial AFC Cup league encounter, avenging their 0-2 home defeat in Group B.

All goals came in the first half as Al Wihdat striker Rafat Ali struck home in the 5th and 22nd minute and their last two goals were hammered by H Abdel Fatwa in the next 14 minutes.

Local giant East Bengal though levelled first two goals from Rahim Nabi and Brazilian Edmilson, failed to deliver goods as the opposition dominated the game with their better ball possession and game planning.

Stung by a quick goal from Rafat Ali (1-0), East Bengal shot back 14 minutes later when Rahim Nabi latching on to a long cross from Edmilson slotted home (1-1).

With the cheers of the home crowd hardly dying down, Ali struck the second goal for the Jordanians (2-1).

Edmilson again brought smile back to the home crowd when he restored parity by unleashing a rightfooter after collecting an aerial cross from Mehtab Hussain (2-2).

The goal was 43rd for Edmilson, who was shown red card in the third quarter of play for rough tackling.

After the equaliser, the Jordan side went into the attack with all their vigour and increased the pace of the game. The strategy paid dividends as the West Asian team struck home twice in quick succession. This time winger H Abdel Fatha was the deadly killer striker.

He scored the third goal for Jordan by capitalising a wrong pass from Suresh in the 33rd minute.

Suresh wanted to back pass the ball to his goalie Subrata Pal, but Fatha swooped on it to give Al Wihdat the third time lead (3-2).

Three minutes later he butressed the lead and struck the last nail on East Bengal coffin to take a sweet revenge of their defeat (4-2).

The winners now have five points from four games and East Bengal six points in the Group B.

This was East Bengal's second biggest defeat in the AFC Cup after 0-5 lose to Al Faysal, also from Jordon, in 2005.

Jordanian coach Gamal Mahmoud was happy with the result, saying his boys excelled when the side was looking for a win in Kolkata.

He said, '' This win has kept us in the championship. '' UNI PC SJC RK2018