Yakubu brace sinks Vasco

A brace each from Sunil Chettri and Yusif Yakubu helped east Bengal to score a resounding 4-1 victory over fighting Vasco in the 15th round of the ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium in Margao on Saturday.

East Bengal that led 1-0 at half time scored through Sunil Chettri (29th and 89th minute) and man of the match Yusif Yakubu (46th, 55th). Vasco pulled one back through Sherzod Nazarov (54th).

Both the teams started on a cautious note. East Bengal gradually took control of the proceedings as they increased the pace putting the rival defense under pressure with long passes.

Yakubu who was in his element today sounded the first warning early in the match when his attempt at the goal hit the post.

Vasco defense particularly Covan Lawerence warded off the moves but the defense finally carved in the 29th minute when a move on the right saw Yusif Yakubu taking a pot shot at the goal which keeper Laxmikant Kattimani managed to block, the deflection went to Sunil Chettri who slammed the ball into the net to have East Bengal leading 1-0 at half time.

Yusif Yakubu troubled the rival defense and increased the lead one minute after the lemon break as he tapped home a well directed lob from a flag kick taken by Renedy Singh which keeper Kattimani failed to block.

Vasco did not give off the fight as they retaliated and reduced the margin in the 54th minute. Substitute Joy Ferrao put Sherzod Nazarov through with a back header. Nazarrov then took two rival defenders in his stride and placed the ball into the net past onrushing keeper Abhra Mondal.

Yakubu struck again one minute later when he headed home a well directed cross from the left by Renedy Singh off a Sunil Chettri pass.

Vasco tried hard to come back into the match towards the end but it was too late as Sunil Chettri scored a brace when he guided home a cross from substitute Alvito Dcunha, a minute before the final whistle.

The win took East Bengal tally to 19 points from 15 matches while Vasco remained at the bottom of the table with 10 points.

Referee Pratap Singh showed yellow cards to Vasco's Joy Ferrao, Sherzod Nazarov and East Bengal's Ishmael Addo.