Bengal rout MP 5-0 to advance in knockout stage

Faridabad, Sep 18 (UNI) Vimal Pariyar scored a magnificent hat-trick as 29-time champions West Bengal toyed with before routing Madhya Pradesh 5-0 to advance into the pre-quarterfinal knockout stage of the 61st National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy here today.

Bengal needed an outright win today as Madhya Pradesh had a better goal average than them and thus came today with an urgency to win.

No sooner had the game begun, Bengal seized control and pressed for the goal. They were rewarded in the ninth minute when Avinash capitalised on a defensive lapse and scored an opportune goal to send his team into the lead.

The floodgates were opened and Vimal Pariyar soon doubled the lead when he scored first of three goals in the 11th minute. Pariyar struck again in the 34th mintue.

At half time West Bengal led by 4-0.

Bengal seemed to be relaxed after the breather but Madhya Pradesh were too shell shocked to take any advantage. Pariyar duped the rival goalkeeper again in the 65th minute to complete his hat-trick.

5-0.

UNI DH PR RS2037