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Quess East Bengal football club took a long leap in the I-League championship title race by hammering a helpless all Indian Shillong Lajong FC squad 5-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday evening.
Winger Laldanmawia Ralte scored a hat-trick while Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda and Jobby Justin also scripted their name on the scoresheets.
Spanish tactician Alejandro Menendez was more than pleased with the way his boys dominated the entire game.
“I am satisfied with everything. Not only five goals but also the way we played. From attack to the defence we were compact. Didn't lose many balls, kept the possession. Overall we performed really well,” said the coach during the post-match press conference.
With the win, the red and gold brigade moved to the third spot with 31 points from 15 matches so far.
Laldanmawia Ralte was the star of the show on Thursday, but their gaffer was not inclined to heap praise on a particular individual but credits the total unit for the outcome. Regarding the matter, Alejandro said,
"I don't like to talk about individual performances. But today I saw that Ralte played really well. He is improving every day. Happy that Indian players are doing well and not only foreign players."
On the other hand, Ralte admitted that he learns new things every day. This was a dream game for the footballer, who also scored a brace during the first ‘Kolkata Derby’ of the I-League season.
“I learn almost a new thing every day from the coach. He gives me the confidence to perform well in every match,” said Ralte.
The Kolkata giants are now in quite a comfortable position, with Chennai City FC bring their only possible contender.
A win in the next tie against Churchill Brothers FC will take them to the second position, with 34 points along with leaders Chennai City FC.
Alejandro’s men will face the side from Goa at the same venue this coming weekend. It promises to be a cracker of a match, especially because the visitors are technically still in the championship race.
