Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 27 (HBTV): Sahal Abdul Samad's second-half strike helped Mohun Bagan Super Giant secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the opening fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
Antonio Lopez Habas and Panagiotis Dilimperis both named all-Indian starting line-ups in their first matches in charge of their respective clubs. East Bengal were led by defender Anwar Ali, while experienced defender Subhasish Bose captained Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the season opener played before a passionate crowd, according to a press release.
Mohun Bagan started on the front foot, making good use of the right flank through the pace of right-back Tekcham Abhishek Singh. Their first chance came when Abhishek delivered a curling cross towards the near post for Manvir Singh, whose glancing header found only the side netting.
Moments later, Abhishek produced another teasing cross into the box, this time finding Kiyan Nassiri, whose weak header was comfortably gathered by East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill. Sahal Abdul Samad, who was at the heart of Mohun Bagan's attacking play, also had two efforts on goal, with the first saved comfortably and the second finding the side netting.
The Mariners dominated possession for much of the first half but lacked the cutting edge in the final third despite registering 10 attempts on goal compared with East Bengal's two. The Red and Gold Brigade defended resolutely, with Anwar Ali and Sandip Mandi marshalling the backline to deny Mohun Bagan any clear-cut opportunities as the two sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
The Mariners carried their momentum into the second half and broke the deadlock within seven minutes of the restart. Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed Rohit Danu inside the penalty area before drilling a low cross across the six-yard box. The ball found Sahal Abdul Samad at the back post, and the midfielder had the simplest of tasks to tap into an empty net.
Habas responded by introducing Mohamad Rashid and P.V. Vishnu to strengthen the attack, while Dilimperis brought on new signing Dejan Drazic and defensive midfielder Deepak Tangri.
East Bengal came alive in search of an equaliser and began creating opportunities in the attacking third. Vishnu tested Vishal Kaith with a powerful low left-footed strike, but the goalkeeper got down well to make his first save of the game. The introduction of another new signing, Dani Ramirez, also added fresh impetus to East Bengal's attack.
East Bengal created the better chances in the final quarter as the Mariners dropped deep, defended in numbers and looked to hit on the counter-attack. Lalchungnunga made an incisive run down the right flank and forced a fine save from Vishal Kaith. The defender reacted quickest to the rebound and headed the ball back into the danger area, where Mohamad Rashid failed to make clean contact with his effort, allowing Mohun Bagan to escape the danger.
East Bengal continued to pile pressure on the Mohun Bagan defence, with most of the closing stages played in the Mariners' half. Jessin T.K. failed to direct his header on target before Ramirez came agonisingly close to an equaliser, clipping the post after making a clever near-post run to meet Vishnu's cross.
Vishal Kaith once again proved to be the hero for the Mariners, producing a superb save to deny Mohamad Rashid's acrobatic effort after the midfielder was picked out unmarked at the back post by Ramirez. From the resulting corner, Anwar Ali rose highest but could not keep his header on target.
In the end, Mohun Bagan held on to their slender advantage to begin the season with a hard-fought victory over their arch-rivals.
(ANI)