The Hindu : Sport / Football : East Bengal routs Md. Sporting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 02, 2004

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Sport - Football

East Bengal routs Md. Sporting

KOLKATA, OCT. 1. Kingfisher East Bengal, playing its first match of group B of the 110th IFA Shield, pounded Mohammedan Sporting Club 4-1 at the Kalyani Stadium here on Friday.

Roberto de Silva Paolo (2), Dipak Mondal and Dipankar Roy scored for the winner while Siddharth Thapa pulled back one for the loser.

Sparkling midfield play, sharp forward movement and lethal striking enabled East Bengal produce one of its best displays in recent times.

East Bengal was quick to get into its groove and pulled ahead in the 12th minute. Climax Lawrence, who excelled in the midfield, sent in a shallow through into the box where Brazilian Roberto de Silva Paolo found the mark with a delicate flick.

East Bengal's numerical superiority in the opponent's area proved very valuable as Shylo Malsawmtlunga's pass inside the box was picked up by an overlapping Dipak Mondal and shot home in the 25th minute.

Malsawmtlunga was again in the thick of action providing another telling pass in the 74th minute.

His tantalising cross from the right enabled Lawrence to back-head. Paolo intercepted the ball, turned sharply and planted an angular shot into the net.

Ten minutes later, Lawrence produced a long through from the midfield.

Diminutive Dipankar Roy got hold of the ball and dribbled past two defenders and the onrushing goalkeeper Gopal Das to complete the rout.

After one of East Bengal's attack was repulsed, Mohammedan Sporting's Stanley Festus set Siddharth Thapa on the run. Thapa got a clear run to the goal and was successful.

East Bengal takes on Bangladesh Mukhtijoddha Sangsad Krirachakra on Sunday. A win would propel the side into the semifinals. Mohun Bagan will play Sri Lanka's Renown Sports Club on Saturday. — Our Special Correspondent

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