Kolkata, April 28 (IANS) East Bengal crashed out of the AFC Cup with a 0-1 loss to Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta'zim FC in a rain-interrupted tie at the Salt Lake stadium here on Tuesday.
The sole goal of the match came as early as the seventh minute from Mohammed Amri Yahyah. Despite raising the tempo, the city giants failed to come back into the match and remained on four points from as many matches.
The group leaders got the all-important strike from a counter attack. Hariss Harun darted down the left and essayed a measured cross for Amri, who tapped home foxing the rival rear guard.
Before his success, Amri had rocketed a volley that narrowly went wide. Luciano Figueroa also finished marginally wide in the opening minutes.
The match was suspended on the half hour mark due to the heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning. After a nearly hour-long break, the action resumed on the ground and East Bengal immediately went on the attack.
Baldeep Singh nearly scored, a little after goalkeeper Faizal Marlias fisted the ball out of harm's way.
The hosts enjoyed possession in the second half and in the 57th minute Raju Gaekjwad pounced on the ball following a cross fromJoaquim Abranches from the right, but he goalkeeper retrieved the situation.
The win takes JDT to 12 points from 5 matches ensuring qualification.
