Bagan hammer Lajong 6-0

Defending champions East Bengal suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Sporting Clube Goa while Mohun Bagan hammered Shillong Lajong 6-0 in the 35th Federation Cup football tournament here on Saturday.

Victorino Fernanades (18th) and Beevan D’Mello (85th) scored either side of half-time to hand Sporting their first win of the competition. Ryuji Sueoka (58th) scored a consolation for East Bengal in their Group B match at Manjeri.

Sporting have three points now from two matches while East Bengal have only one from the same number of outings.

Sporting made the most of some porous defending from East Bengal in the 18th minute. India International Victorino Fernandes nodded in Rowlin Borges’ centre from close after left-back Saumik Dey was caught out of position.

East Bengal got the spot kick in the 58th minute when red and golds captain Harmanjyot Khabra was brought down just inside the box by goalkeeper Ravi Kumar. Sueoka made no mistake from the spot sending home a low shot past Ravi Kumar.

East Bengal were made to pay dear for their missed opportunities as Beevan gave Sporting the match-winner when he converted substitute Stephene Barreto’s right-wing floater.

In Kochi, captain Odafa Okolie and Christopher Chizoba struck two goals each as Mohun Bagan hammered Shillong Lajong 6-0 to brighten their chances of making it to the semifinal.