The Times Of India 

February 1, 1999 

East Bengal kept their reputation intact to thrash FC Kochi 3-1 in their away encounter and garnered full three points in the NFL Championships match at the LBS here tonight. FC Kochi took the lead with Najeeb's goal in the 5th minute, but East Bengal came back with an equaliser in the 37th minute with Vijayan. Biachung Bhutia scored the other two goals in the 40th and 60th minute. 
With this win, EB maintain their lead in Group B with 14 points from 6 games, while the Kochi side have 10 points from 6 matches.
Personally, I have no explanation as to why FC kochi lost this game. They took the lead and still lost. Maybe it had to do with the bad weekend in which India lost its match against Pakistan in cricket, and the Australian Open finals. Well, FC Kochi will have to beat Salgaocar to remain in the second place. This is assuming they beat all their other opponents.