Stunning was the result against qualifiers Gorkha Brigade, who were understandably elated after the match. They had proved a point, at FC Kochin's expense. The professional club on the other hand, will require time to get over the memories of this defeat which must have left them completely shattered.

The Gorkha goal came after Kochin goalkeeper Saji Joy apparently brought Rajendra Thapa down inside the box in the 40th minute. Althoughthere was an element of suspicion there, referee Ramesh Rehani had no doubts. Pritam Rai converted the penalty with a calm head. Kochin came up with a number of goalward moves, but it was just not their day.

Only a handful of spectators watched the Kochin humiliation. However, there were a lot more in the stands to witness East Bengal's clinical execution of BSF. Not putting in their entire effort, the team from Calcutta scored once in the first half and twice in the second to leave their mark of authority. The BSF defence was nowhere in sight during the first two goals. In fact, Carlton Chapman had ample time to plan his placing for the first goal in the 33rd minute. Nigerian Kennedy had put Raman Vijayan through to the left and the lanky striker just crossed the ball to an unmarked Chapman inside the box.

The second goal, in the 55th minute, again exposed the weak BSF defence with Kennedy passing to an unchallenged Dipankar Roy on the left. Roy's angled shot landed in the net close to the farpost.

Roy, a Tata Football Academy graduate, added the third in the 81st minute after BSF goalkeeper Bibhas Saha had jumped out to leave the citadel unguarded. Kennedy did the initial work, dribbling into the box and sidestepping a charging Saha. Vijayan had a touch before Roy lobbed the ball over a defender who had placed himself at the goalline.

BSF did not have a single move of note in the entire game. In contrast, East Bengal made repeated attacks through Tushar Rakshit, Carlton Chapman and Raman Vijayan. Both the midfielders put Vijayan free a number of times, but the striker was a shade slower than he normally is. A few of the attempts were also punched away by Saha. East Bengal even tested their bench strength, resting Rakshit and Chapman later in the match. They will play the winners of Group A in the first semi-final on December 1.

Tuesday's fixtures

Group A: JCT vs Bhutan XI 1.00 pm

Group D: Mohun Bagan vs Army XI 2.45 pm