Jules Alberto struck the first goal for Salgaocar in the 27th minute in peculiar fashion. After snatching the ball from Carlton Chapman near the half-line, Alberto streaked down the right flank, dodged past Falguni Dutta and Jackson Ageypyong to take a swerving shot past goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey. The unexpected reversal left the East Bengal players totally stunned.

Salgaocar relinquished the lead in the first half, a minute before the break. Ghanaian Suley Musah, once again overlapping well, dispatched a deceptive floater into the box. Custodian Jude Siddi, playing with an injured hand, charged out too far and even as he leaped,the ball brushed past his fingers. Dipendu Biswas headed in the equaliser.

East Bengal went into lead nine minutes into the second half through Suley Musah. Tushar Rakshit, who had replaced an injured Emmanuel Opoku, essayed a pass to Carlton Chapman. The midfielder advanced into the Salgaocar box, turned with three defenders surrounding and back-passed to a charging Musah to score. East Bengal had a chance to consolidate with Biswas missed an easy header in front of an open goal. Another chance went abegging in the 31st minute with Biswas missing another opening.