East Bengal crush Balestier Khalsa FC 3-0 in AFC Cup

Kolkata: Despite fielding their reserve team, East Bengal dominated the proceedings to hammer Balestier Khalsa FC 3-0 for their first win this season in the the AFC Cup football tournament at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan here on Tuesday.

East Bengal struck through Balwant Singh's double strikes (22nd and 71st minute) and substitute Ranti Martins (75th) completed the rout to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout round alive.

The red-and-gold brigade also avenged their 1-2 defeat to the Singaporean outfit that slipped to bottom of the group F standings with three points, while East Bengal (four) jumped to third place.

In the 21st minute, Shylo Malsawmtluanga's freekick was headed out by Mohammad Rafique and hit a Balestier defender's hand, but the referee Kim Daeyong ruled out a foul and awarded a corner.

Malsawmtluanga took the resultant corner as Baldip put the ball in with a powerful header to give East Bengal the lead.

East Bengal could have easily doubled the lead after the changeover, but Baldeep made a mess of a neat through pass from Baljit Singh, fluffing in front of an open net.

Baldeep completed his second goal after Baldeep put it across Nurullah into the top corner.

Eight minutes after he was brought in, Martins made his presence felt when he took the possession from Baldeep and fired the ball in.

East Bengal coach Eelco Schattorie made a string of changes with Arnab Mondal being the only member from the I-League game against Pune FC.