East Bengal drub F C Kochin

Title aspirants East Bengal scored an inspiring 3-0 victory over F C Kochin at the Salt Lake stadium, in Calcutta, on Tuesday, to stay on course for the fifth National Football League title.

The league leaders, who looked a determined lot right from the kick-off, led 2-0 at half-time and got their goals through defender Falguni Dutta, striker Dipendu Biswas and fullback Suleh Musa.

Falguni Dutta played a stellar role in the victory. After he put the home team into the lead with a rasping drive, following a free-kick around midway through the first half, Dipendu and Musa respectively headed home a swerving flag kick and an accurate centre, both by Falguni in the 27th and 64th minutes.

The convincing victory after a few lacklustre performances will definitely boost the morale of the red and yellow brigade to a great extent before they take on SBT, Travancore, in their concluding match of the league.

To earn the coveted title, which has eluded them thus far, East Bengal will have to beat SBT at Thiruvanthapuram on April 30, unless nearest rivals Mohun Bagan lose points in their last two matches against Vasco and ITI, Bangalore.