Mohun Bagan Thrash CISF Protectors 6-0 to Reach Durand Cup Quarter-Finals

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured top spot in Group A and booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup following a 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

Sahal Abdul Samad scored a first-half hat-trick, while Manvir Singh, substitute Jamie Maclaren, and Tekcham Abhishek Singh also found the net for the Mariners. The win completed a perfect group-stage campaign for head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis’ side, who registered three victories from three matches. Mohun Bagan had already confirmed their quarter-final qualification prior to the match after earning six points from their opening two games, while CISF Protectors entered the contest following back-to-back defeats.

The Mariners established early pressure in the match, with Subhasish Bose testing the goalkeeper with a low long-range effort in the ninth minute. The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when Dejan Dražić delivered a pass from inside his own half to find Tekcham Abhishek Singh on the right. His shot took a deflection into the path of Liston Colaco, who squared the ball for Sahal to apply the finish.

Two minutes later, Mohun Bagan doubled their lead through another quick attacking move. Manvir Singh threaded a pass to Dražić on the right, and the Serbian squared the ball across for Sahal to tap home his second goal of the evening.

Mohun Bagan extended their advantage in the 24th minute. After previously firing straight at the goalkeeper, Manvir controlled an inviting cross from Tekcham Abhishek Singh from the right and finished to make it 3-0. Sahal then completed his first-half hat-trick in the 37th minute.

In the second half, Sahal set up the fifth goal in the 68th minute with a no-look through ball to substitute Jamie Maclaren, who slotted his finish through the legs of the goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Liston Colaco combined with Tekcham Abhishek Singh, who ran into the penalty area and sent a precise finish into the roof of the net to seal the 6-0 win.