Suhail gives holders Bagan a winning start in Durand Cup
Times of India | 28 July 2024
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant got their title defence off to a winning start, eking out a 1-0 win over Downtown Heroes FC in the opening game of the 133rd edition of Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Suhail Bhat scored the match-winning goal in the 73rd minute, providing finish to a beautiful move and helping Mohun Bagan get over the line.
With the senior team players under Jose Molina scheduled to kick-start their pre-season on Monday, assistant coach Bastab Roy had an enormous job of getting their act together ahead of the tournament-opener. Newly-recruited Australian defender Tom Aldred was the only foreigner available for him to start as the side consisting mainly of reserve team players struggled to gain ascendancy early on.
In fact, it was the Srinagar-based team which looked more in control of the proceedings. With their French defender Redah Atassi providing solidity to the backline, Liberian attacker Darius Snorton Perwood began testing the Bagan box with some quickfire raids. Darius missed the opportunity of the first half when he sent his shot wide of the post with Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Syed Hussain Bukhari standing at his mercy.
Downtown’s failure to convert their chances proved costly when Bagan came calling on the back of an excellent move and broke the deadlock.
Taison Singh — fed by Glan Martins — found Asish Rai overlapping down the right and Bagan’s full-back on receiving the ball laid it off perfectly for Suhail to come up with a simple tap-in.
Suhail was adjudged the player of the match.
Md Sporting face a tricky test vs Inter Kashi:
I-League champions Mohammedan Sporting begin their Group B campaign with a tricky test against debutants Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Sunday. In the last season, Mohammedan Sporting missed the Durand Cup knockout places by virtue of goal difference.
Inter Kashi FC who finished fourth in their debut I-League season, will look to provide a good account of themselves in this competition.