Calcutta: East Bengal became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Sheikh Kamal Gold Cup, when they defeated Karachi Electric 3-1, in their second Group B match, in Chittagong on Thursday.

With back-to-back victories, East Bengal are currently leading the group. This was the second occasion an Indian club side met a Pakistani team on Bangladesh soil after 1987, when Mohun Bagan played against Pakistan Air Force at Dhaka in Asian Club Cup.

East Bengal dominated the proceedings right from the start and their new Nigerian recruit, Orok Orok, scored of a flying header in the 15th minute from a Abinash Ruidas cross.

Mohammed Rafique doubled the lead in 25th minute when he scored of an Orok Orok pass. Ranti Martins could have made it 3-0 four minutes later, but his free kick hit the crossbar. East Bengal led 2-0 at halftime.

Ranti got his name on the score sheet in the second half, when he scored of an Orok Orok assist in the 50th minute. Mohammed Rasool reduced the margin for Karachi Electric in the 84th minute.

Earlier on Sunday, East Bengal opened their campaign when they beat Abahani Club (Chittagong) . East Bengal then were second on the table with three points, in their group, as they had an inferior goal average from leaders Abahani Club (Dhaka). With the win, they now occupy top spot in their group.

Playing the tournament without most of their key players, East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya still believed in the capability of his team and said they have the potential to win the tournament.

"Our 13 players are currently participating in the Indian Super League (ISL). So they have not come with the team. In spite of that, we still have a strong team. We will decide on our strategy match by match. If the players play to their potential, we can still become champions. Our performance will prove that we have came here to win," he had said.