Mohun Bagan Super Giant began their Durand Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating bitter rivals East Bengal 1-0 in a fiercely contested Kolkata derby at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. A second-half goal from Sahal Abdul Samad separated the two sides, while goalkeeper Vishal Kaith produced a string of crucial saves to ensure Mohun Bagan walked away with all three points and a clean sheet.
The decisive moment arrived in the 52nd minute after Mohun Bagan forced a turnover high up the pitch. Youngster Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed an East Bengal defender near the penalty area before bursting to the byline and sending a low cross across goal. Manvir Singh’s attempted backheel failed to make contact, allowing the ball to run through to Sahal, who made no mistake with the finish into an empty net.
The victory gave new head coach Panagiotis Dilberis the ideal start to his tenure, with Mohun Bagan looking well-drilled defensively and composed in possession throughout the contest. Kaith was a commanding presence in goal, while Rahul Bheke marshalled the backline effectively as Mohun Bagan restricted East Bengal to very few clear-cut opportunities.
For East Bengal, it was a disappointing first outing under Antonio Habas, although his side improved noticeably after the interval and enjoyed sustained spells of pressure in search of an equaliser.
The first half offered plenty of intensity but little goalmouth action. Mohun Bagan controlled more of the possession, while East Bengal relied on quick transitions to threaten on the break. Both teams, however, struggled to create meaningful chances as the defensive lines remained compact.
East Bengal stepped up the tempo in the closing stages, pinning Mohun Bagan back inside their own half. Jeakson Singh attempted to pick out P.V. Vishnu with a long pass from deep, but the move fizzled out as the ball ran beyond its target.
Moments later, Mohammed Rashid latched onto a loose ball outside the area and unleashed a powerful first-time effort, only for Deepak Tangri to throw himself into the path of the shot with a vital sliding interception.
The Red and Gold Brigade came within inches of an equaliser in the 87th minute when Vishnu delivered a dangerous cross from the left. Dani Ramirez managed a deft flick at the near post, but his effort brushed the outside of the post before going wide.
Kaith then sealed Mohun Bagan’s victory with a stunning save in stoppage time. Ramirez’s cross found Rashid at close range, but the goalkeeper reacted instinctively, diving sharply to his right to keep out the effort and deny East Bengal a dramatic late leveller.
The tournament continues on Sunday in Ranchi, where defending champions NorthEast United FC face Jamshedpur FC in a Group C encounter.
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