Kolkata, August 7: East Bengal FC almost on the way to their place in the knockout stage of the 135th Durand Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over South United FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday. Goals from Dani Ramirez, Rashid, Hardik Bhatt, Bipin Singh and David ensured another dominant result for the Red & Gold Brigade, who finished the group stage with six points from three matches and a remarkable +13 goal difference.

East Bengal made a bright start and almost broke the deadlock in the second minute. Dani Ramirez played a brilliant scoop ball from midfield towards Jesin TK on the left channel. Jesin carried the ball into the box but placed his effort just wide of the right post.

The opening goal arrived in the sixth minute. Receiving the ball from Rashid, Dani Ramirez unleashed a curling effort from outside the box that found the left corner of the net, giving East Bengal a deserved 1-0 lead.

The Red & Gold Brigade continued to dominate possession and create chances. In the 16th minute, Sandip Mandi delivered a pin point cross into the box, but Nacho’s powerful header went off target. Four minutes later, Ramirez came close to doubling the advantage, but end up seeing his close-range effort crash against the woodwork.

The second goal finally came in the 24th minute from a corner. Jesin flicked the delivery towards Rashid, who met highest to power into the net a bullet header and make it 2-0.

East Bengal nearly added another before the break when Ramirez threaded a perfect through ball for PV Vishnu in the 28th minute. Vishnu attempted to scoop the ball over goalkeeper Sunil Singh, but failed to find the target.

South United produced their first meaningful attack in the 40th minute through the right flank, but goalkeeper Gaurav Shaw denied the move with a brilliant diving punch to clear the danger.

The third goal arrived in the 73rd minute. Hardik Bhatt struck a powerful grounded effort from distance. Although Sunil Singh got a touch after diving full stretch, he could not prevent the ball from rolling into the net.

Eight minutes later, East Bengal made it 4-0. Debutant Chris Ikonomidis delivered a cross from the left which was partially headed clear by a South United defender. The loose ball found Bipin Singh, who headed it into the net.

With the final whistle approaching, a defensive misplaced pass from South United gifted David the opportunity to complete the scoring as he made it 5-0, putting the finishing touch on another emphatic East Bengal performance.

In this statue the victory did not confirm East Bengal’s qualification for the knockout stage with six points from their three Group A matches and an impressive +13 goal difference, as others group fixtures are remaining and the others results would decide. South United FC, meanwhile, finished with three points from three matches, with two heavy defeat saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stage come to an end.