Jeje Lalpekhula scored a hat-trick as a rampaging Mohun Bagan routed Shillong Lajong 5-0 in their home leg semifinal of the Federation Cup football tournament at the Vidyasagar Krirnagan in Barasat, West Bengal, on Sunday.
The match gained pace after Jeje broke the deadlock in the 40th minute before he set up Bikramjit Singh for a 2-0 lead at the half time.
The Mizoram striker returned with menacing form in the second half scoring two goals in the space of four minutes as Mohun Bagan toyed with Lajong defence with ease.
Mohun Bagan's U-22 player Azharuddin Mallick, who replaced Cornell Glen in the 61st minute, struck their fifth goal from a Sony Norde throw-in in front a jubilant 12,342 home supporters.
The Kolkata giants now head to Shillong for the away leg on May 14 with a commanding lead.
Image: Mohun Bagan's Jeje Lalpekhula celebrates a goal against Lajong during their Fed Cup match in Barasat on Sunday
Photograph: AIFF media
