Siliguri, April 2 (IANS) East Bengal rode a Dong brace to prevail over their arch rivals Mohun Bagan 2-1 in an I-League soccer clash here on Saturday.
Yusa Katsumi scored a consolation goal for Mohun Bagan late in the second session of the Kanchenjunga Stadium encounter.
A little after the half-an-hour mark, Korean winger Dong Do-Hyun was introduced in place of Abinash Ruidas on the left flank. His presence filled in a new purpose in the Red and Golds intent to go forward and take on the opponents.
East Bengal were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute when Luciano Sobrosa pulled down Ranti Martins inside the box.
Dong converted the spot kick to net his first ever I-League goal, sending the 24,000-odd crowd into delirium.
A couple of minutes later, Mohun Bagan assistant coach Shankar Lal Chakraborty was given marching orders by referee Santosh Kumar for repeated dissent.
Up 1-0 at half time, East Bengal doubled the lead in the 74th minute when Dong went past five rival players in the midfield and nudged past Kinshuk Debnath before slotting the ball in with a delightful left footer.
Skipper Katsumi Yusa headed in the ball in the 83rd minute after Pritam Kotal crossed the ball from the right.
There was a late twist in the tale as Sehnaj Singh brought down Mohun Bagan's Jeje Jeje Lalpekhlua to concede a soft penalty.
East Bengal custodian Luis Barreto emerged the hero by successfully stopping Jeje's effort, diving to this right.