Emami East Bengal asserted its superiority with a convincing 5-0 win over debutant South United FC within the opening Group-A match of the 134th version of the Durand Cup soccer event on the Salt Lake Stadium right here on Wednesday.
Defender Lalchungnunga opened the scoring early within the first half earlier than Saul Crespo netted a penalty to make it 2-0.
Bipin Singh made a wonderful debut for East Bengal as he discovered the web inside minutes after his introduction late within the second half. Dimitrios Diamantakos, additionally coming in in its place, scored from a free-kick to boost East Bengal’s tally earlier than Naorem Mahesh Singh offered the crowning glory with a pleasant long-ranger within the penultimate minute of the match.
Outplayed
It was a harrowing debut for South United because the Bengaluru-based workforce was unable to seek out its footing towards the may of the ISL aspect East Bengal, which dominated the motion with over 70% ball possession.
South United, whose finest present thus far has been enjoying within the I-League 2, needed to depend on its native league recruits towards a much-higher funds opponent which additionally fielded three foreigners.
The outcome: Group-A: Emami East Bengal 5 (Lalchungnunga 12, Crespo 37-pen, Bipin Singh 79, Diamantakos 86, Mahesh Singh 89) bt South United FC 0.
