Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 2:

East Bengal of India defeated Hannam University of South Korea 4-2 on penalties in the final of the San Miguel International Cup Football Tournament here today.

The match went to tie-breaker after both the teams failed to break 0-0 deadlock in normal 90 minutes and 30-minute extra time. In tie-breaker Chandan Das, Paulo Roberto D’Silva, Douglas Silva Dos Santos, and Climax Lawrence converted their spot kicks for East Bengal.

Cheon Je Hun and Kim Hae Won scored for Hannam University while Mo Sung Wook and Kim Jun Tae ended up with skiers. The win was second for East Bengal in Kathmandu after the Wai Wai Cup triumph in 1993.

The young Korean side gave a tough time to experienced Indian powerhouse through out the match, but failed to cash on the opportunities. On the other hand, East Bengal, with as many as five Indian internationals, failed to break strong Hannam University defence.

“The match was exciting,” said East Bengal coach Subash Bhowmik after the match. “Both teams got opportunities but failed to convert them,” added the coach who was named the coach of the year 2004 in India.

Bhowmik, who escaped being sent off by FIFA referee Gyani Raja Shrestha for arguing with the fourth official Buddhi Bahadur Gurung just before the first half, said that the refereeing in the tournament was below par. Earlier, Hannam University almost took lead in the second minute through skipper Lee Sang Min, but East Bengal goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee punched out Min’s free kick from the edge of the D-box.

Hannam University goalkeeper Min Keong Il was spectacular in the 11th minute when he blocked Climax Lawrence’s powerful 30-yarder. East Bengal custodian Mukherjee saved his team from going down in the 43rd minute when he saved Park Min Keun’s close-range attempt on Bae Dong Hyun pass. In the 54th minute, Hannam University striker Park Min Keun had some bad luck as his attempt on Choi Ki Sak’s pass hit the cross bar.

Paulo Roberto D’Silva broke Hannam University defence in the 58th minute, but his powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area was brilliantly saved by full-length diving goalkeeper Min Keong Il. Kim Jun Tae of Hannam University almost found the net in the first minute of the extra time, but East Bengal goalkeeper Mukherjee brilliantly saved his 30-yard powerful shot. The South Korean team again came close to scoring in the 15th minute, but Lee Yuon Pyo missed a clear header on his skipper Lee Sang Min’s perfect pass inside the six-yard box.