New Delhi, Sep 16 - East Bengal's pathetic form continued as they were knocked out of the 122nd Durand Cup with a shocking 0-1 loss to newly promoted I-League club Lajong while arch-rivals Mohun Bagan trampled ONGC 5-1 in the quarterfinal league stage here Wednesday.
Having suffered the ignominy at the hands of TFA colts and Chirag United in the IFA Shield, East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick hoped for some revival in the Durand Cup. But a 62nd strike from Kyrshan Lynsingh dashed all hopes as Lajong registered their biggest win in top-flight and brightened their chances of qualifying for the last four.
After the pathetic performance at the Ambedkar Stadium against the energetic Lajong, Bhowmick's job will now surely be under fire. The stunned silence in the bench after the loss summed up the mood for the beleaguered Kolkata team that completed a hat-trick of defeats in the season.
It was in complete contrast to what happened earlier in the day as Mohun Bagan, riding on a brace each from Surkumar Singh and Edeh Chidi and a solitary strike from Jose Barreto, claimed their stakes for their 17th Durand Cup title.
For Lajong coach Stanley Rosario it was a sweet revenge as he was sacked from East Bengal in the later stages of the I-League earlier this year.
The East Bengal defence was completely caught off-guard against the speedy attacking duo of Daniel Bademi and Boithang Hoakip. Bhowmick's decision to play Mehrajuddin Wadoo in the sweeper position did not click as the India international failed to link well with the back-line.
Upfront, Argentine striker Sebastian Omar Monesterolo and Subhash Singh lacked the penetration power while the ageing Alvito D'Cunha was hardly noticeable in the midfield.