Sahal Abdul Samad’s goal in the second half secured a hard-fought 1-0 win for Mohun Bagan Super Giant against East Bengal FC in the 135th Durand Cup opener in Kolkata. The match saw both teams led by all-Indian starting line-ups, with Mohun Bagan’s Tekcham Abhishek Singh making an impact on the right flank early on.
Mohun Bagan dominated possession in the first half but struggled to convert chances, while East Bengal defended well to keep the score level at halftime. The deadlock was broken in the second half when Kiyan Nassiri set up Sahal Abdul Samad for the only goal of the match.
As East Bengal pushed for an equalizer, Mohun Bagan’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Vishal Kaith making crucial saves. Despite late pressure from East Bengal, Mohun Bagan managed to maintain their lead and secure the victory.
Tomorrow’s fixtures include Jamshedpur FC vs Defenders FC and Indian Army FT vs Samaleswari Sporting.
