Durand Cup: Mohun Bagan enters quarterfinals; Bodoland FC ousts Punjab FC
Anirudh Thapa began scoring in the 19th minute before Jamie Maclaren (35), Liston Colaco (51-penalty), Sahal Abdul Samad (64) and substitute Jason Cummings (80) scored once each to complete the impressive scoreline for Mohun Bagan, which progressed to quarterfinals with full nine points.
Luka Majcen produced the only reply for the I-League promotee Diamond Harbour FC, which finished second with six points from two wins.
With two slots reserved for the best second-place finishers DHFC will have to wait for the completion of the engagements of six group leagues to find a place in the quarterfinals.
Local side Bodoland FC surprised Punjab FC 1-0 to pick up its second successive win in a Group-D league match at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar.
Colombian striker Robinson Rendon found the only goal of the match to help Bodoland FC reach top of the group standings with six points. With this loss Punjab FC, who collected four points, was eliminated from the tournament.
The results:
Group-B (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG 5 (Thapa 19, Maclaren 35, Colaco 51-pen, Samad 64, Cummings 80) bt Diamond Harbour FC 1 (Majcen 24).
Group-D (Kokrajhar): Bodoland FC 1 (Robinson 69) bt Punjab FC 0.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
9 hours ago
- United News of India
Real Kashmir secure commanding 3-1 win over NEROCA FC to top group F Durand Cup
Imphal, Augu 10 (UNI) I-League outfit Real Kashmir FC clinched a convincing 3–1 victory over NEROCA FC in a crucial Group F encounter of the 134th Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today. The win propelled the Snow Leopards to the top of the group with six points from three games, effectively wrapping up their group-stage campaign. NEROCA FC, meanwhile, concluded their campaign with just two points. The final group fixture between Indian Navy FT and TRAU FC, scheduled for August 12, will now decide which team progresses to the knockout stage as Group F winners. NEROCA FC head coach Gyan Moyon made two alterations to his starting XI, bringing in Kabrabam Arun Kumar Singh and Saphaba Singh Telem, replacing Nonganba Singh Akoijam and Nongthongbam Japes. The home side lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Real Kashmir coach Ishfaq Ahmed made a solitary change, introducing Ahteeb Ahmad Dar for Shahid Nazir in a 4-2-3-1 setup. The opening 30 minutes were cagey, with both teams feeling each other out in midfield. NEROCA attempted to assert control with a high press, and Harrison's darting run offered early promise, but the Real Kashmir defence stood firm. NEROCA's best opportunity of the half came when Saphaba beat two defenders and delivered a low cross to Arun, whose shot went just wide of the post. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute. Real Kashmir capitalised on a corner, with veteran defender Salam Ranjan Singh left unmarked inside the box. He brought the ball down expertly and lashed it past the goalkeeper to give the visitors a deserved lead. The goal rattled NEROCA, who soon saw Rohit and Kinesh booked for reckless challenges. Real Kashmir nearly doubled their advantage before halftime when Haider Yusuf threaded a clever ball through to Sessegnon, but his cross failed to find a teammate. NEROCA came out with renewed energy after the break, pressing hard in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute. Saphaba was the architect once again, weaving past two defenders before threading a perfectly weighted pass between the centre-backs. Lucas timed his run to perfection and slotted a low shot beyond Furqan to make it 1–1. But NEROCA's joy was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Real Kashmir struck back from a set piece. Rohen Singh delivered a curling free-kick from the right flank. Toure rose at the near post and flicked it on with the back of his head, sending the NEROCA defence scrambling. Tarek pounced on the loose ball and calmly buried it into the far corner to restore Real Kashmir's lead at 2–1. The visitors sealed the contest in the 82nd minute with a swift and clinical counterattack. Tarek drove down the right and played a perfectly timed through ball to Modou Mbengue, who had drifted in unmarked. With composure and finesse, Mbengue cut inside and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The late goal sealed an emphatic 3–1 win for Real Kashmir, ensuring they finish their group-stage campaign strongly. The performance showcased not just tactical discipline but also clinical finishing in key moments, while NEROCA's defensive frailties ultimately cost them. Real Kashmir now await the result of the final group game to determine their quarterfinal fate, but they've made a strong case for progression in the tournament. UNI NS SSP
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Durand Cup: East Bengal tops group A with dominant display
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 10 (ANI): Emami East Bengal FC capped off their Group A campaign in the 134th Durand Cup with a resounding 6-1 win over Indian Air Force FT at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, registering three wins from three and finishing top of the group, according to a release from Durand different scorers found the net for the Red and Gold Brigade, as Oscar Bruzon's rotated side combined flair and ruthlessness to overwhelm the Airmen. East Bengal's head coach Oscar Bruzon made five changes to his starting XI, bringing in Hamid Ahadad, Edmund Lalrindika, Kevin Sibille, Provat Lakra, and Jeakson Singh in a 4-3-3 Darshan made three changes for the Airmen, bringing back captain Subhajit Basu in goal, Amarnath in attack, and Ashik Rahman in defence in their 4-4-2 formation. East Bengal were on the front foot from the first whistle, forcing Subhajit into back-to-back saves from Ahadad and Anwar headers in the 3rd Moroccan striker, fresh from scoring on debut, continued his fine form by opening the scoring in the 7th minute, calmly slotting home at the far post with his head after Edmund's measured cross. Ahadad almost doubled his tally six minutes later, breaking free on the counter from a Samuel through-ball, he chipped it past the goalkeeper Subhajit only to be denied by a last-ditch clearance from Amarnath. The Airmen's high line struggled to cope with East Bengal's movement, and in the 25th minute Bipin Singh made it 2-0, showing composure to round the keeper and finish after capitalising on a midfield turnover. The Airmen found a lifeline in the 36th minute. A patient build-up ended with Jijo Jerone delivering a precise cross from the right for Aman Khan, who glanced his header past East Bengal goalkeeper Gill to make it 2-1 with perfection. Moments before halftime, Miguel Figueira went close with a curling free-kick, but East Bengal went into the break with a narrow lead. The Red and Gold Brigade resumed with intent, Edmund and Mahesh both testing the keeper early in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Miguel's corner was met by a towering header from Anwar Ali, restoring East Bengal's two-goal cushion. Three minutes after the third goal, Bruzon sent on Saul Crespo, Basim Rashid, and David Hmer, a move that paid immediate dividends. In the 68th minute, a partial clearance fell to Basim outside the box, and the substitute drilled a precise strike past Basu for 4-1. East Bengal's relentless pressing forced errors, and in the 85th, Subhajit's punched clearance from Edmund's cross fell straight to Crespo's right foot, who volleyed into an empty net for the fifth. In the final minute of regulation time, Miguel's header found substitute David Hmer, who nodded home to complete the 6-1 emphatic result sees East Bengal finish the group stage with a perfect record and a statement of intent ahead of the knockout rounds, while the Airmen bow out with just a point from three matches. (ANI)
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Defending Champs Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka Make Winning Starts In Cincinnati Open
Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka got their title defenses off to smooth starts as they powered into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday. The men's and women's top seeds, each ranked number one in the world, were both competing for the first time since Wimbledon -- where Sinner lifted the title and as Sabalenka bowed out in the women's semi-finals. Sinner crushed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in steamy afternoon weather while Sabalenka beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1 under the lights of the night session. Sabalenka needed 54 minutes and a service break in the final game to clinch the opening set with a stinging winner. The second set was more of a grind than the score suggested as she saved five break points for a 4-1 lead and recovered from 0-30 down in the final game before securing the win. "It's always a tough match against her," Sabalenka said of the Czech opponent she has faced nine times. "She pushed me to the limit. If you lose focus even a little bit it can cost you a set. I had to fight for every point against her," added Sabalenka, who next faces Britain's Emma Raducanu, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Olga Danilovic. Meanwhile Sinner outclassed Colombia's Galan with 17 winners and just four unforced errors. Sinner won the opening five games in 15 minutes as he allowed his 144th-ranked opponent, who came through qualifying, little breathing room. The victory in 59 minutes was the fastest of Sinner's ATP career, beating his previous quickest by one minute. Sinner claimed his 22nd consecutive win on hardcourt, last losing the Beijing final in September to rival Carlos Alcaraz. "I didn't know what to expect," Sinner said of his return to tournament action. "I'm happy because it's not easy to play here. "The ball is flying and you have to serve very precise if you want to go far in the tournament. "Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match it could not have gone better." After snapping up the first set Sinner broke to start the second before Galan clawed out a hold in a seven-minute game in which he fought off five break points. But it was only a momentary reprieve. Sinner fired three aces to hold for 3-1 as he roared away again for the victory. Elsewhere eighth-seeded Lorenz Musetti and 11th-seeded Casper Ruud bowed out to French opponents. Benjamin Bonzi defeated Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) while Artur Rinderknech beat Ruud 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 -- taking full advantage of Ruud's 34 unforced errors. Rinderknech was pleased with his success so far at his Cincinnati debut. "I stayed aggressive throughout the match," he said. "You cannot let Casper start to dictate." Seventh seed Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) over Russian Roman Safiullin and will next play American Alex Michelsen, who defeated Corentin Moutet of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Swiatek eases through In other women's action, reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned an efficient opening win over Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4. Poland's Swiatek has reached the final four at the last two editions but Cincinnati remains one of the two 1000-level tournaments -- along with Canada -- where she has never played a final. The third seed moved into the third round in just 74 minutes, saving four of the five break points she faced. "I wanted to play solid - but intense as well," Swiatek said. "It was up and down in the second set. But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win." Australian Open winner Madison Keys needed more than two hours to advance with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) over German Eva Lys, saving two match points at 5-6 in the deciding set.
