Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant secure quarter-final berth in Durand Cup
Dominant Performance Secures Top Spot
Mohun Bagan Super Giant have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup following a decisive 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors in a Group A match held in Kolkata on Monday. This win ensured Mohun Bagan finished at the top of their group with a perfect record of nine points, having won all their opening two games prior to this fixture. The team’s strong offensive display dismantled the CISF defence, securing their spot in the next stage of the tournament.
The match saw Sahal Abdul Samad emerge as a key player, scoring a first-half hat-trick. Other goal scorers for Mohun Bagan included Manvir Singh, Jamie Maclaren, and Tekcham Abhishek Singh. The CISF Protectors, on the other hand, were eliminated from the tournament without securing any points.
First-Half Offensive Blitz
Mohun Bagan demonstrated their attacking intent early in the game. Despite initial resistance from the CISF defence, led by captain Mohammad Khalid, the Mariners broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Dejan Dražić initiated the move with a pass from his own half to Tekcham Abhishek Singh. The shot deflected, finding Liston Colaco, who then set up Sahal Abdul Samad for the opening goal.
Just two minutes later, Sahal Abdul Samad doubled Mohun Bagan’s lead. Manvir Singh provided a pass to Dejan Dražić on the right, and the Serbian delivered 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 picked up possession near the halfway line, navigated past several defenders, and slotted a right-footed finish into the goal. This individual performance contributed significantly to Mohun Bagan’s four-goal lead by halftime, where they maintained 75 percent possession.
Second-Half Continuation and Other Group Results
Despite coach Panagiotis Dilimperis making four changes at the break, Mohun Bagan continued to control the game. Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco had further attempts before the team added their fifth goal. Sahal Abdul Samad provided an assist to substitute Jamie Maclaren, who scored by slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Tekcham Abhishek Singh completed the 6-0 rout, combining with Liston Colaco to finish into the roof of the net. Although CISF Protectors, through Gaurab Das and Gurpal Singh, threatened late in the game, Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Syed Zahid Hussain maintained a clean sheet. This comprehensive victory solidified Mohun Bagan’s position as group leaders.
In another Durand Cup fixture, SC Delhi also secured their place in the quarter-finals as Group C winners. They achieved this by defeating Indian Air Force FT with a score of 7-1 in Ranchi. Juan Sebastián Peña scored two goals for SC Delhi, with additional goals from Rodriguinho, Duvan Mina, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Clarence Savio Fernandes, and Richard Ndayishimiye. Samuel K. Vanlalpeka scored the consolation goal for Indian Air Force. SC Delhi concluded their group stage campaign with a perfect record of three wins and nine points, while Indian Air Force, with three points from two matches, are scheduled to face Jamshedpur FC in their final group fixture on August 13.
The results from Monday’s matches include:
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant 6 (Sahal Abdul Samad 17′, 19′, 37′; Manvir Singh 24′; Jamie Maclaren 68′; Tekcham Abhishek Singh 73′) CISF Protectors 0
- SC Delhi 7 (Rodriguinho 11’, Juan Sebastian Peña 39’65’, Duvan Mina 55’, Lalrinliana Hnamte 63’, Clarence Savio Fernandes 79’, Richard Ndayishimiye 90’+4) Indian Air Force FT 1 (Samuel K. Vanlalpeka 50’)
Source: m.rediff.com
