A hat-trick by Rui Wanderlei Weis helped Vasco thrash ITI 5-0 and keep their title hopes alive in the 7th edition of the Oil PSU National Football League.

Vasco, who led 2-0 at half time at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Sunday., scored through Rui Wanderlei Weis (22nd, 41st, 90th), Agnelo Gomes (53th) and Jules Alberto Dias (60th).

The winners will meet league leaders East Bengal on April 25 at Kolkata.

Vasco, who made a sluggish start, slowly settled down with their midfield taking control of the proceedings and got
the breakthrough when Rui took advantage of his height to nod home a Satish Minz cross from the left.

Rui, who found himself more confortable playing in the midfield where he had ample of space to operate, doubled the
lead five minutes from half-time when he chipped the ball from the top of the box past the rushing keeper Gumpe Rime to find the net off a Jules Dias pass.

ITI started off well and matched their rivals equally in the first half. They had their share of scoring chances but striker Najeeb let them down as he failed to score twice.

Vasco, who are in second place with 40 points from 20 matches are still six points behind East Bengal.

They, now, need to win both their remaining matches and hope East Bengal lose their remaining two matches to win the
title on better goal difference.