A Bagan masterclass for DHFC
2
Kolkata: At the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings returned to do what they have been doing for long — scoring goals. Mohun Bagan SG returned to their happy hunting ground to do what they have been doing for long — producing the right performance for the right game.
And the result?
Jose Molina's ISL champions stormed into the knockout stage of Durand Cup with an all-win streak, demolishing a 10-man Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) 5-1 and bringing Kibu Vicuna's high-flying team down to earth.
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Anirudh Thapa started the rout with an early goal in the 19th minute. Debutants DHFC equalized within five minutes, Luka Majcen beating an offside trap to latch on to Jobby Justin's pass and finding the target for the third match running.
But Maclaren established Bagan's lead in the 35th minute, providing an easy finish to Sahal Abdul Samad's deft assist.
DHFC came into the game as an in-form team and Group B leaders by dint of a better goal difference. Despite trailing at halftime, they appeared to look the fancied rivals in the eye until then. However, the contour and complexion of the game changed completely in the 51st minute when Liston earned and converted a penalty for his fifth goal of the tournament and DHFC were reduced to 10 men a tad controversially with the expulsion of their defender Naresh Singh Yendrembam.
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As Liston began his trademark run towards the box, Naresh was left with the only option of stopping Bagan's No. 7 in his tracks by pulling him from behind. Although TV replays suggested the foul might have taken place just outside the box, but Colaco fell in the challenge inside the box, forcing referee Ashwin to point to the spot. As Naresh and his teammates remonstrated with Ashwin for his decision, the referee flashed a straight red card to the DHFC defender.
DHFC goalkeeper Susnata rightly guessed Colaco's shot from the spot but it was not enough to prevent Bagan from going 3-1 up.
DHFC stuttered and stumbled and then, lost the plot completely thereafter. Bagan, on the other hand, went for the jugular.
The next two goals were devoid of any controversy though and represented the depth of Bagan's attacking might.
Sahal made it 4-1 in the 64th minute, pouncing on the opportunity when DHFC substitute Robilal Mandi failed to deal with a layoff from Jason Cummins who replaced Maclaren in the second half.
Cummings completed the rout, receiving a ball from Asish Rai near the D and beat the rival goalkeeper with a left-footed striker.
As Bagan — who lost last year's final to NorthEast United FC — progressed to the quarterfinals with three wins in a row, I-League 2 champions DHFC — who finished their group campaign with six points — would now have their fate determined by results in other groups.
Six group champions and two second-best teams would advance to the quarterfinals.
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
Group B: Diamond Harbour FC 1 (Majcen 24) Mohun Bagan SG 5 (Thapa 19, Maclaren 35, Liston 51 pen, Sahal 64, Cummings 80).
Group D: Bodoland FC 1 (Robinson 69) Punjab FC 0.
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