East Bengal secures dominant win in Durand Cup, Shillong Lajong also victorious
East Bengal’s commanding performance
East Bengal FC achieved a significant 8-0 victory over CISF Protectors in a Group A fixture of the 135th Durand Cup. The match took place at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. This win marks a return to form for East Bengal, especially after a recent derby loss.
The Red-and-Gold Brigade established a 3-0 lead by half-time and maintained their offensive pressure throughout the second half, adding five more goals. Vishnu PV was a key player, scoring a hat-trick. Jesin T.K. contributed with two goals, while Jeakson Singh also found the back of the net. An own goal by CISF Protectors captain Mohammad Khalid further extended East Bengal’s lead.
East Bengal’s head coach, Antonio López Habas, implemented a 4-3-3 formation and made six changes to the starting lineup from the team that played against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Kolkata Derby. Players such as Phurba Lachenpa, Hardik Bhatt, PV Vishnu, Daniel Ramírez, Mohamad Basim Rashid, and Jesin TK were brought into the squad. Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Sandip Mandi, Jeakson Singh, and Edmund Lalrindika retained their positions.
The team asserted its dominance early in the game. Hardik Bhatt delivered an early cross, and Jesin T.K. tested the goalkeeper. Vishnu P.V. nearly scored with an acrobatic effort that hit the woodwork, signaling East Bengal’s attacking intent. Edmund Lalrindika and Hardik Bhatt were instrumental in stretching the opposition’s defense from the flanks.
Despite CISF Protectors’ attempts to defend with a disciplined low block, East Bengal’s persistence paid off. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Vishnu P.V. scored with a backheel finish from Edmund Lalrindika’s cutback. Four minutes later, Mohammad Khalid’s own goal doubled the lead. Just before half-time, Daniel Ramírez set up Jeakson Singh for a tap-in, making the score 3-0.
The momentum continued into the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, Vishnu P.V. scored his second goal with an overhead kick from Sandip Mandi’s cross. East Bengal maintained pressure, with Mohamad Basim Rashid’s corner leading to a save and Hardik Bhatt’s long-range shot going wide. Vishnu almost completed his hat-trick after rounding the goalkeeper, but Daniel Ramírez’s follow-up shot missed the target.
Coach Habas introduced fresh players, with Bipin Singh and Rohit Kumar replacing Daniel Ramírez and Mohamad Basim Rashid. These changes sustained the attacking intensity. Lalchungnunga hit the post, and Jesin T.K. and Edmund Lalrindika also had shots that rattled the woodwork.
The fifth goal was scored in the 64th minute by Bipin Singh, who finished a swift counter-attack. Six minutes later, Jesin T.K. scored his first goal with a low strike. As CISF’s resistance weakened, Jesin added his second goal, and Vishnu P.V. completed his hat-trick by converting Bipin Singh’s cross, bringing the score to 8-0. This emphatic victory earned East Bengal their first three points of the campaign and kept their knockout hopes alive.
Shillong Lajong begins with a win
In another Durand Cup fixture, Shillong Lajong FC commenced their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club. This match, referred to as the Shillong Derby, was the opening fixture of Group E and was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The decisive goals for Shillong Lajong FC were scored by Everbrightson Sana and Tremiki Lamurong. Everbrightson Sana scored in the 70th minute, and Tremiki Lamurong added another goal in the 86th minute to secure the win for the team from Shillong.
CISF Protectors head coach, Shehzad Khan, also made changes to his team, setting up in a 4-4-2 formation. Mohammad Khalid returned as captain, replacing Pawan Pratap Singh, and Aditya came in for Thangminlien Haokip in defense. The remaining starters for CISF maintained their positions as they aimed to build on their previous outing, though they ultimately faced a significant defeat.
The Durand Cup continues with further matches, including NorthEast United FC against Bodoland FC in Group F at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
Source: newindianexpress.com
