Edmund hat-trick fires East Bengal to 17th Durand Cup title

KOLKATA, Aug 23:

A compact East Bengal produced a scintillating show as Edmund Lalrindika struck a dream derby hat-trick to rout Mohun Bagan 4-1 and clinch a record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title here on Sunday.

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.

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.

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.

The result means the two city heavyweights are now even-stevens, with 17 Durand Cup titles apiece in the 135-year history of the Asia's oldest competition. (PTI)