Former Mohun Bagan duo Ansumana Kromah and Naro Hari Shrestha scores to hurt East Bengal's title hopes...

succumbed to a shocking defeat against Peerless SC in their ninth match of the 2018 Calcutta Football League (CFL) Premier Division 'A' on Thursday.

Ansumana Kromah (6') and Naro Hari Shrestha (78') scored for Biswajit Bhattacharya's side, while Kassim Aidara (72') scored the only goal for the home team.

Subhash Bhowmick made just one change in the East Bengal team that started the Kolkata Derby last Sunday. Lalrindika Ralte was introduced into the lineup in place of Kamalpreet Singh. With Ralte’s inclusion, Kassim Aidara was deployed in a defensive role.

East Bengal were on the ascendancy right from the off. The urgency in their approach was visible as they wanted to pick up early goals.

The Red and Golds came close to breaking the deadlock in the 6th minute of the match but a weak finish from Joby Justin denied them an easy goal.

From a counter-attack, Peerless drew first blood through Ansumana’s Kromah’s strike. Syed Rahim Nabi snatched the ball away from Samad Ali Mallick and forwarded a pass to Kromah who dribbled past Johnny Acosta and slotted the ball home.

Mahmoud Al Amna came close to an equaliser in the 26th minute after receiving the ball from Samad inside the box. Amna chipped the ball over Sandip but it went out.

At the half-hour mark, Chullova’s long-range effort just went above the cross. Amna took a short free-kick and Chullova went for the goal from the edge of the box.

Brandon failed to make an impact in the match and East Bengal’s left flank mostly remained dormant. This prompted Subhash Bhowmick to introduce Surabuddin Mallick in the 36th minute in place of the Mizo winger.

Bhowmick went all guns blazing in the second half by introducing Gagandeep Bali in place of Lalrindika Ralte. Bali’s inclusion meant there would be an extra man inside the opposition’s penalty box.

Kassim Aidara equalised for East Bengal in the 72nd minute from Gagandeep Bali’s cross. The move started with Surabuddin Mallick who passed to Johnny Acosta inside the box. The Costa Rican defender shielded his marker and placed the ball on a plate for Bali whose curling cross found Aidara in front of the goal. The midfielder tapped the ball into the net.

Unfortunately, East Bengal joy was shortlived as Naro Hair Shrestha put Peerless in front yet again in the 78th minute from Nuruddin’s pass. Shrestha’s long-range shot took a deflection off Samad Ali’s right foot and went straight into the goal.

A shock defeat keeps East Bengal second in the table, three points behind league leaders with two games to go in the league.