KOLKATA: Victory continued to elude East Bengal as the Kolkata heavyweights suffered a 0-2 loss to Air India in their round 17 ONGC I-League match at Salt Lake Stadium here on Sunday. Kailash Patil and N D Opara scored for the visitors who gave a dominating performance despite missing some key players.

East Bengal, the Federation Cup champions, thus remained winless from 10 matches taking into account their two losses in the AFC Cup. Having halted Pune FC’s run with a 1-0 win, Air India thus registered their second successive win to lift themselves up in the league tree to have 21 points, same as East Bengal.

Medio Kailash Patil opened the account for the airmen in the 32nd minute, capitalising on a cross from N D Opara and the foreigner himself sealed the coffin of the hosts from his powerful right footer 14 minutes from end.

Air India dominated the entire proceedings and deserved the win against a side having several India internationals. Barring India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is nursing a hamstring injury, East Bengal had full side with three foreigners — Oga Okrapa, Abel Hammond and Yusif Yukubu.

But the grit showed by the airmen was encouraging in all fronts as they took a sweet revenge for the first leg 0-1 loss to the Kolkata side.

Kailash Patil broke the wall thirteen minutes from break when he slotted home defeating Abhra Mondal, who was main architect of his team’s win in Federation Cup final. N D Opara using his anticipation sent a through and Patil clinically finished it to target.

Desperate for an equaliser East Bengal made some weak attempts and before any damage was done, N D Opara sealed their win in the 76th minute.