A 5-1 score-line was the end result. Yilmaz scored a hat-trick, striking in the fourth, 26th and 41st minute. Thomas Muller scored one in the 27th minute and Stier completed the rout in the 69th minute. East Bengal’s only goal came through Sunil Chhetri in the 52nd minute.

East Bengal were definitely not ready to take this humiliation at home. They were shell-shocked. Still, coach Subhas Bhowmick tried to take some positives out of this defeat as he said: “I have tried two different combinations in two matches. I am happy with the way players are shaping up (before the I-League).”

If Saturday’s match at Barasat was an opportunity for the East Bengal reserves, today almost all front-line players played. Goalkeeper Subrata Paul was excellent and saved his side from further ignominy. Sanju Pradhan was sharp, making incisive moves through the right flank. Nirmal Chhetri too looked good.