KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan SG moved closer to progressing to quarterfinals of the ongoing Durand Cup, subduing Punjab FC’s challenge 2-0 at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Monday.
With Juan Ferrando returning to the dug-out for the first time this season, the ISL champions went in front after 23 minutes when Punjab FC defender Melroy Assisi conceded an own goal while trying to negotiate a Manvir Singh cut-back.
Hugo Boumous then completed the job in a persistent shower, taking advantage of Kiran Kumar Limbu’s poor goalkeeping immediately after the break.
Although Punjab FC — who gained their promotion to the ISL by dint of being the I-League champions — tried to stage a comeback later on, it always looked a tall task for Staikos Vergetis’ side to change the script.
Thanks to their back-to-back victories, Mohun Bagan are leading Group A with six points. They need just a draw from their final group match against arch-rivals East Bengal to seal an automatic place in the last-8 stage as one of the group winners.
Mohun Bagan thrashed Bangladesh Army team 5-0 in the tournament opener without foreigners. However, keeping in mind the season’s first derby, Ferrando — taking charge of the dug-out — put Brendan Hamill and Boumous in the starting XI and later used Dimitri Petratos as a sub. Defender Anwar Ali also debuted in green-and-maroon colours.
Unlike the first match, it was not a stroll in the park for Ferrando’s team as Punjab FC did come up with a few meaningful raids into the rival box. But what could satisfy the Bagan coach more is the fact that his team has not conceded in two matches.
Last season, Mohun Bagan crashed out of the tournament from the group stage itself. This time, they look like a team more disciplined and playing with fire in its belly.
With consistent rain making the ground slushy, Manvir and Liston Colaco’s run was causing a lot of troubles in the Punjab box.
One such run from Manvir led to Bagan’s opening goal when Melroy slid in an attempt to clear the Mohun Bagan striker’s minus but ended up pushing the ball into his own net.
Punjab FC still showed more intent in the second half, especially after the introduction of Juan Mera. Brandon Vanlalremdika blasted an opportunity over the bar while Mera saw his shot denied by the woodwork.
Boumous’ goal made Punjab’s hopes for a fightback more difficult. Goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu failed to intercept Colaco’s cross properly and the ball fell favourably in front of Boumous to scoop up the goal on the second attempt.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
In Kolkata: Mohun Bagan 2 (Melroy 23 og, Boumous 48) Punjab FC 0.
In Kokrajhar: Odisha FC 0 Indian Army FT 1 (Liton 42).
