Kolkata: Kerala Blasters thrashed CISF Protectors FT 7-0 in their final Group C match of the Durand Cup here on Saturday.
Blasters finished their group assignments with seven points from three matches and are likely to top the group. The six group winners plus two best second-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals.
Noah Sadaoui scored his second hat-trick of the tournament for Blasters.
Kwame Peprah opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Sadaoui made it 2-0 three minutes later. Mohammed Aimer consolidated their position in the 16th minute. Sadaoui scored his second four minutes later. Noacha Singh scored in the 25th minute, while Mohammed Azhar found the mark on the stroke of half-time as Blasters went into the break with a 6-0 lead.
Sadaoui completed his hat-trick in the final minute of regulation time after missing a penalty moments earlier.