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. Edmund Lalrindika struck a dream derby hat-trick as a compact East Bengal produced a scintillating show to rout Mohun Bagan 4-1 and clinch a record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title on Sunday. It also ended the Red and Gold’s 22-year wait for the trophy, having last won in 2004 with a 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan.
Rashid set up Bipin Singh’s opener in the 10th minute and later assisted Lalrindika’s hat-trick goal in the 44th minute. 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 striker took a touch into the box, rounded the advancing Kaith with another touch and slotted into the unguarded goal. The captain was involved once again as Rashid delivered a teasing cross to the far side of the box, where Jay Gupta arrived at pace and squared it across the face of goal for Edmund to tap home and complete his hat-trick. 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.
