East Bengal win National Football League

Kolkata:

East Bengal retained the National Football League title blanking a lowly Indian Bank 3-0 in a completely one-sided match here today. The Kolkatan outfit's win took its point tally to 46 and although two more matches remained to be played, East Bengal's closest rival Dempo Sports Club, Goa could garner a maximum of 45 points. Literally toying with the bankmen, who occupy the lowest rung of the league ladder, the red and gold brigade shot into a 1-0 lead at the breather, before adding two more despite taking it easy in the second session. By clinching the league crown for the third time, East Bengal have equalled arch-rival Mohun Bagan's record. Baichung Bhutia, Douglas de Silva and substitute Dipankar Roy were the scorers for East Bengal who would now have to wait till their last match against Sporting Club, on May 12 in Goa, for being formally anointed league champions. They play their penultimate exchange a€" an away game a€" versus another Goan outfit Churchill Brothers on May 9. Indian Bank, who looked completely in the woods opposite their formidable rivals, remain on a paltry eight points from 20 games. (PTI)