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. 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.
But the reigning Indian Super League champions remained compact and disciplined to see out the match and exact revenge for their 0-1 defeat in the 2023 final that had given Mohun Bagan a record 17th title. 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.
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.
