Jakarta, July 26: East Bengal became the first Indian Club to win an international tournament on foreign soil when they beat favourites Bec Tero Sasana of Thailand 3-1 to lift the LG Cup Asean Club Football Championship in a thrilling final here today. The hard earned victory against the Asian champions league finalists made East Bengal richer by USD 50,000. It was a sweet revenge for the Indians who had lost 0-1 to the Thais in the league phase. Leading by a 28th minute Mike Okoro goal at the break, East Bengal stretched their lead to 2-0 with Golden Boot award winner Baichung Bhutia taking his tournament tally to nine in the 48th minute. Alvito D`Cunha sealed the issue in the 69th minute after the Thais tried to come back through a goal by Panai Kongpaphan in the 58th minute.
Bhutia, who was declared the man of the match, continued with his rich form and ended the tournament on a high with his solo second goal which put the Thais firmly on the back foot even as they were trying hard to nullify Okoro`s strike.
On a quick counter attack, Bhutia snatched the ball from Thai defender Thanongsak Pajakkta after a one-to-one battle. He went inside the box, pulled the goalkeeper out of position, and regaining his step after a slip, found the net with a firm right foot shot.

Bureau Report