Edmund Lalrindika struck a dream derby hat-trick as a compact East Bengal produced a scintillating show to rout Mohun Bagan 4-1 and clinch a record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title here on Sunday.
It also ended the Red and Gold’s 22-year wait for the trophy, having last won in 2004 with a 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan. Captain Rashid won possession in the opposition half, shaped as if to shoot before slipping the ball through to Bipin, who calmly drilled his effort from inside the box past Vishal Kaith. The Antonio Lopez Habas-coached side were at their fluid best, with skipper Mohammed Rashid holding the midfield and orchestrating their attacks, as East Bengal handed their arch-rivals a nightmare start by scoring four goals in a breathtaking first half.
Rashid set up Bipin Singh’s opener in the 10th minute and later assisted Lalrindika’s hat-trick goal in the 44th minute. Playing as a lone forward in place of Jesin TK, Lalrindika also struck in the 12th and 22nd minutes as East Bengal virtually buried their arch-rivals’ hopes in an action-packed first half. Manvir Singh pulled one back for Mohun Bagan in the 33rd minute, providing a solitary moment of joy for the Mariners. Bipin opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a composed left-footed finish.
It was a dream start from the Habas’s men as East Bengal virtually sealed Mohun Bagan’s fate before the half-hour mark, with the Red and Gold Brigade running riot in a pulsating first half.
