Sahara Cup: East Bengal blank Peerless

Kolkata : East Bengal blanked Peerless SC 3-0 on its home turf on Thursday to continue ruling the league table in the Sahara Calcutta Premier Division Football League.

East Bengal, aiming to win season opener after three years, improved their skill on every match they play, especially in the dead ball situation.

All the three goals were scored against Peerless SC from headers.

The red-and-gold held the rivals at their box area immediately after kick off and forced four corner kicks wihtin eight mintues.

Ekene Ikenwa headed home a cross from Robin Singh, who nodded a corner from Mehtab Hossain in the eighth minute to give home crowds cheer on the eve of Viswakarma Puja.

Coach Trevor James Morgan, who had given a fitting reply to his critics in the previous play when East Bengal pumped five goals against Mohammedan Sporting, was enjoying the play from the dugout as his players were in full control of the game on the heavy ground.

At times ball was truly immovable due to muddy condition and scoring was possible only from air.

Seven minutes before the water break, East Bengal’s Tolgay, an Australian, won a corner.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra nodded home from Mehtab Hossain who finally made a hattrick of goal setter for Nirmal Chettri three
minutes from the end of the match.

Vashum was declared man of the match as East Bengal recorded fifth straight victory, scoring 19 goals and collecting 15 points, eight points adrift of holders Mohun Bagan, which have a match in hand.