Bengal trounce J&K to top group

Bengal topped Cluster I trouncing Jammu and Kashmir 5-0 in a league match of the 58th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy here today.

Striker Dipendu Biswas netted thrice, while Surya Bikash Chakraborty and Anupam Sarkar scored one each in the one-sided match to fashion Bengal’s second win in as many matches. They had whipped minnows Rajasthan 7-0 in their lung opener.

Seizing the initiative from the outset, Bengal went into the lead in the fourth minute through Biswas who again found the target 21 minutes later to make the scoreline 2-0 at the breather. Bengal kept up the tempo in the second half, and Chakraborty showed fine opportunism to score in the 65th minute. The goal left the J&K team completely demoralised and Bengal forwards yet again came calling at the rival goalmouth and Biswas increased the margin in the 68th minute. Sarkar then shot home in the 84th minute to complete the tally 5-0.