South African side Santos FC dazzled to outclass Mahindra United, Mumbai, 2-0 in a quarter-final league match of the 113th IFA Shield football tournament in Kolkata on Thursday.
The South Africans team, which finished seventh in their premier division league, scored once in each half through their redoubtable striker Taslem Paulse in the floodlit Group B encounter at the Salt Lake stadium.
Earlier, it was a story of missed chances as Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting finished goalless with local outfit Mohammedan Sporting in a mediocre Group A tie at the same venue.
Santos, who have come with only five players from their first team, went into the lead as early as the seventh minute when Paulse latched on to a clearance from his own defence and set off on a long run at searing pace that foxed the rival rearguard.
The striker dribbled past Mahindra right back Sunil Kumar, cut into the box, and slotted home.
They doubled their lead in the 50th minute. Midfielder Danny Rodrick addressed a long ball from near the half line to Paulse, who avoided the off-side trap set by the Mahindra defence and put the ball home with a rasping volley that went to the right of Mahindra goalkeeper Nandy.
The South Africans could have left the field with a larger margin but Mahindra defender Sushant Mathew made a goalline save, while Nandy also brought off a couple of saves.