East Bengal suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Aizawl FC, to virtually go out of the I-League title race, at the Kalyani Stadium on Friday.

Argentine Matias Veron struck the all-important goal in the 76th minute to hand East Bengal their fifth defeat from the last six matches.

This was East Bengal’s second successive defeat under new coach Mario Rivera, who was appointed after Alejandro Menendez stepped down after suffering a hat-trick of defeats.

The latest loss meant that East Bengal slipped to eighth in the table.

For the 2016-17 champions Aizawl FC, it was their first win from seven matches as the Stanley Rozario-coached side are now seventh with 11 points from 10 matches, ahead of the Calcutta giants on goal difference.

For East Bengal, Rivera brought in five changes including Ansumana Kromah in the playing XI, but the Liberian could not make a difference.