Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) champions, made a powerful start to the season as they triumphed over Bangladesh Army FT with a resounding 5-0 victory in the opening match of the Durand Cup. The 132nd edition of the tournament marked the commencement of the Indian football season, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant wasted no time in showcasing their dominance on the field.
Right from the beginning, the Mariners asserted their authority by scoring three goals in the first half, effectively sealing the fate of the match. Liston Colaco, a talented Indian player, opened the scoring in the 14th minute, followed by Manvir Singh in the 29th minute from a penalty kick. Just before half-time, Suhail Ahmad Bhat added another goal with an impressive finish, giving the home team a commanding lead.
The situation worsened for Bangladesh Army FT in the 45+2nd minute when Mohammad Minazur Rahman received his second yellow card and was sent off. Reduced to ten players, their chances of making a comeback diminished significantly.
In the second half, Mohun Bagan Super Giant continued their domination with Lalrinliana Hnamte finding the net in the 58th minute from a low cross delivered by Colaco. Kiyan Nassiri, a rising 22-year-old player, completed the rout in the 89th minute by capitalizing on Colaco’s powerful shot that the Bangladesh Army FT goalkeeper failed to collect.
Led by Sumit Rathi, a 21-year-old center back, Mohun Bagan fielded a second-string side without any foreign players but relied on the experienced Indian duo of Manvir and Colaco to spearhead the attack. Under the guidance of coach Bastab Roy, the team employed a 3-5-2 formation to great effect.
The victory in the Durand Cup opener sets the tone for Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s campaign and sends a strong message to their rivals. The team’s impressive performance reflects their determination to continue their success from the previous season. As the Asia’s oldest tournament progresses, football enthusiasts eagerly await more exciting clashes and exhilarating displays of skill and talent.
