Skipper KV Dhanesh played well for Kochin in the first half, but faded after the break. In fact, Dhanesh created the first scoring opportunity for his team in the 11th minute with a measured cross from the left. Mohamed Shafiq, however, could not reach the ball. The Kerala side got another opening in the 23rd minute when Ghanian Abu Jomo put Dhanesh clear. The captain's attempt was saved by East Bengal goalkeeper Bibhas Ghosh.

Those two moves apart, Kochin did little of note in the first half. Even though the defence was sticking to its task, the defenders underestimated Bhutia's agility in the 35th minute. Renedy Singh's flag-kick floated towards the six-yard box andBhutia was airborne in a flash. The header entered the goal neatly even before the Kochin defenders could turn.

The second goal a result of spot-kick awarded to East Bengal after Kochin defender Prabhjot Singh handled Saroj Das' shot inside the box in the 87th minute. Bhutia calmly converted to put the issue beyond Kochin.