Kolkata Aug 23: East Bengal demolished arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the final at Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday to win the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup and equal Bagan’s record 17 titles.
Edmund Lalrindika scored a first-half hat-trick in the 12th, 22nd and 44th minutes while Th. Bipin Singh struck in the 10th minute. Manvir Singh pulled one back for Bagan in the 33rd.
Bagan started better with Thapa and Liston creating chances for Manvir and Maclaren, but East Bengal were ruthless. Captain Basim Rashid set up Bipin for the opener and Edmund doubled it two minutes later with a long-range stunner past Vishal Kaith.
Edmund made it 3-0 after a slick move involving Hardik Bhatt and Daniel Ramirez. Manvir gave Bagan hope with a superb cut-inside finish from Lalengmawia’s through ball, but Edmund completed his hat-trick before half-time from Basim’s free-kick and Jay Gupta’s assist.
Bagan pushed hard after the break with Ferreira, Chhangte and Sahal, Liston forced two fine saves from Prabhsukhan Gill, but Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga and Jeakson held firm to seal a memorable 4-1 win.
Edmund won the Golden Ball with an SUV key, Kaith won Golden Glove and NorthEast United’s Alaaeddine Ajaraie won Golden Boot.
