Margao, Dec 5: Tolgay Ozbey's first half strike helped East Bengal edge past hosts Sporting Clube de Goa by a solitary goal in the eight round I-league clash at the Nehru Stadium here today.
Tolgay Ozbey, who scored four goals against HAL, once again was the centre of attraction as he troubled the rival defense with his speed as the home team employed five defenders to check him.
He scored the winner in the 24th minute by intercepting defender Mathew Gonsalves' pass and taking a defender in his stride. Ozbey then entered the box, drew custodian Gerard D'Mello out and slotted the ball into the net.
Tolgay could have scored two more goals but rival keeper Gerard saved the day for Sporting as he made diving saves in each half.
The win takes East Bengal to 16 points from eight matches, the same as Prayag United and Mohun Bagan.
But East Bengal, who have a better goal difference than the other two, moved to third place, one point behind Churchill Brothers, who have 17 points, followed by Prayag United and Mohun Bagan.
Sporting remained on sixth position with 12 points from eight matches after their second defeat.
