Kolkata: Continuing their winning run, East Bengal registered their third consecutive victory, thrashing an inexperienced AIFF XI 4-0 in an I-League third-round match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.
After being held goalless in the first half by a spirited AIFF XI, East Bengal scored through Robin Singh (51st and 75th), Penn Orji (69th) and Tolgay Ozebe (80th) to notch up third win on the trot.
East Bengal now have six points and climbed to the top of the table while AIFF remained on one point.
Floated by the federation, the young AIFF outfit under experienced Desmond Bulpin showed a lot of promise in the first half as they thwarted East Bengal's raids through Singh and Ozebe.
AIFF XI matched in pace even as on a couple of occasions they remained unscathed with the red-and-gold brigade attacking from all flanks.
But their resistance only lasted 45 minutes as they conceded goals in a flurry in a contrasting second half.
East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan conceded AIFF XI boys for their show in the first half, saying, "It was tough 45 minutes. Initially, they matched us and it showed they had their homework. But all credit to my boys for the way they turned it around after the break."
After repeated attempts, East Bengal finally found the back of the net from a midfield move from Sanju Pradhan who passed it on to Orji. The attacking Nigerian playmaker got past the AIFF defenders before sending a cross to the opponent's box from the right.
Looking for the opportunity, Singh utilised the cross to perfection as he beat Gaikwad to find the back of the net through a left-footer tap.
It was Orji's speed and agility that earned East Bengal the second goal as the Nigerian utilised a forward pass from Sanju to beat AIFF defenders before lobbing the ball into the net.
Down 0-2, AIFF looked to be under pressure as East Bengal narrowly missed one more attempt in the 72nd minute. Sushant Matthew's header missed the target by a whisker.
But that did not matter to the home giants as man-of-the-match Singh completed his brace in style minutes later.
The Delhi lad beat the AIFF defenders with his speed before scoring through a brilliant left-footer when he fired one in from the left edge of the box.
The red-and-gold camp's Australian striker Ozebe also joined in the party when he finished an Orji cross with a superb touch to complete the rout.
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