Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant secure quarter-final berth in Durand Cup
Mohun Bagan Super Giant advanced to the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup following a commanding 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors. The match, played in Kolkata, saw Mohun Bagan finish at the top of Group A with a perfect record of nine points, having won all their group stage fixtures.
The Kolkata-based team entered the contest with a quarter-final spot already secured after winning their initial two matches. Despite this, they displayed a strong attacking performance against CISF Protectors, who exited the tournament without earning any points.
Dominant First Half Performance
Mohun Bagan Super Giant demonstrated their attacking intentions from the start of the match. The CISF defence, led by captain Mohammad Khalid, initially held firm against the early pressure from Mohun Bagan. However, the resistance was broken in the 17th minute when Dejan Dražić delivered a pass from his own half to Tekcham Abhishek Singh. His effort took a deflection, leading to Liston Colaco squaring the ball for Sahal Abdul Samad to score the opening goal.
Moments later, Sahal Abdul Samad doubled Mohun Bagan‘s lead. Manvir Singh initiated the move by releasing Dejan Dražić on the right flank, who then provided a cross for Sahal to tap in his second goal. Manvir Singh then extended the lead to 3-0 in the 24th minute, controlling a cross from Tekcham Abhishek Singh before finding the net.
Sahal Abdul Samad completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute. He gained possession near the halfway line, advanced past several defenders, and slotted a right-footed finish into the goal. Mohun Bagan maintained significant control throughout the first half, holding 75 per cent possession and concluding the first 45 minutes with a four-goal advantage.
Continued Pressure in the Second Half
Despite making four changes at halftime, coach Panagiotis Dilimperis‘s side continued to dictate the pace of the game. Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco had further attempts on goal before Mohun Bagan added their fifth. Sahal Abdul Samad provided a through ball to substitute Jamie Maclaren, who then scored by slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs in the 68th minute.
The final goal of the match came in the 73rd minute, with Tekcham Abhishek Singh combining with Liston Colaco before finishing into the roof of the net, completing the 6-0 victory. Towards the end of the match, CISF Protectors attempted to create opportunities through Gaurab Das and Gurpal Singh, but Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Syed Zahid Hussain maintained a clean sheet.
Other Group Stage Results
In another Durand Cup fixture, SC Delhi secured their place in the quarter-finals as winners of Group C. They achieved this with a decisive 7-1 victory over Indian Air Force FT in Ranchi. Juan Sebastián Peña scored twice for SC Delhi. Other goal scorers for SC Delhi included Rodriguinho, Duvan Mina, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Clarence Savio Fernandes, and Richard Ndayishimiye. Samuel K. Vanlalpeka scored the lone goal for Indian Air Force.
SC Delhi concluded their group stage campaign with a perfect record, securing three wins from three matches and accumulating nine points. Indian Air Force remained in third place in their group with three points from two matches and are scheduled to play Jamshedpur FC in their final group fixture on August 13.
Source: theprint.in
