Kolkata, Mar 21: United SC earned their maiden IFA Shield soccer title pipping title holders East Bengal 1-0, with Ranty Martins scoring the all-important goal in the second half here Wednesday.
Martins hit the bull's eye to seal East Bengal's fate as he darted in from the left and got hold of a measured hit through S. Malsawmtluanga to put the ball home.
East Bengal custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu got a fingertip to the ball, but it ended into the East Bengal net.
The Salt Lake stadium summit clash saw the formidable East Bengal in the woods in the absence of their injured striker Edeh Chidi.
United thus denied East Bengal their 25th title in the torunment.
