Mohun Bagan Super Giant advanced to the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup following a decisive 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors. The match, held in Kolkata on Monday, saw Mohun Bagan finish at the top of Group A with a perfect record of nine points from their group stage matches. CISF Protectors, conversely, exited the tournament without securing any points.
The Kolkata team entered the contest with a quarter-final berth already secured, having won their initial two games. Despite this, they demonstrated strong attacking intent from the outset. CISF Protectors, whose defence was marshalled by captain Mohammad Khalid, initially held firm against the early pressure from Mohun Bagan.
First-Half Dominance
The resistance from CISF Protectors was eventually broken in the 17th minute. Dejan Dražić initiated the play with a pass from his own half, releasing Tekcham Abhishek Singh. His effort took a deflection, leading to Liston Colaco squaring the ball for Sahal Abdul Samad, who scored the opening goal.
Just two minutes later, Sahal Abdul Samad scored his second goal. Manvir Singh delivered a pass to Dejan Dražić on the right, and the Serbian player provided a cross for Sahal to tap in. Manvir Singh then extended Mohun Bagan‘s lead to 3-0 in the 24th minute. He controlled 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, navigated past several defenders, and executed a right-footed finish into the goal. This performance contributed to Mohun Bagan holding 75 per cent possession during the first half and concluding it with a four-goal advantage.
Continuing the Rout
Despite making four changes at halftime, coach Panagiotis Dilimperis‘s side maintained control of the game. Both 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 slotted the ball past the goalkeeper in the 68th minute. The final goal of the match came in the 73rd minute when Tekcham Abhishek Singh combined with Liston Colaco before finishing into the net, completing the 6-0 victory.
Towards the end of the match, CISF Protectors created some threats through Gaurab Das and Gurpal Singh, but Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Syed Zahid Hussain maintained a clean sheet. This dominant performance ensured Mohun Bagan Super Giant‘s progression to the quarter-finals.
Other Group Stage Results
In another Durand Cup match, SC Delhi 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 coming from Rodriguinho, Duvan Mina, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Clarence Savio Fernandes, and Richard Ndayishimiye. Samuel K. Vanlalpeka scored the lone goal for Indian Air Force FT.
SC Delhi concluded their group stage campaign with a perfect record of three wins, accumulating nine points. Indian Air Force FT 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
