East Bengal thrash HASC 3-1

Bangalore, Jan 11 (UNI) Bouncing back to winning ways, former champions East Bengal (EB) outplayed Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club (HASC) 3-1 in a second round match of the National Football League played at BDFA stadium here today.

Scoring twice in the early part of the first half, East Bengal, who were shocked by Air India in their first match, brought down the highflying aircraftmen, who had fought well to hold the other Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in the first round.

Though HASC reduced the margin after the break, they were never in the hunt as EB inreased the margin to 3-1 with just four minutes remaining in the contest.

Ashim Biswas, who recovered in time from a bout of fever, played a dominant role in the EB win by netting the opener in the very fifth minute of the game and 17 minutes later set up midfielder Bibiano to double the score with a neat cross. HASC, after letting their rivals dominate them in the first half, fought back in the second, reducing the margin just two minutes into the second half through a sizzling goal from Kuttymani. However, substitute striker Izumi Arata took the match beyond the reach of the aircraftmen, scoring the third goal four minutes from time.

East Bengal would now go home to play arch rivals Mohammedan Sporting at Barasat grounds, while HASC would emplane to Mumbai to face Air India at Cooperage.

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