Colaco, left, celebrates after netting the penalty for Bagan’s third.
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
A 10-man Mohun Bagan Super Giant downed city rival Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 in a Group-B match to start its campaign in the 134th Durand Cup on a good note at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.
Needing a win to survive in the tournament, Sporting struggled against an efficient Bagan, which found the lead in the 23rd minute when Liston Colaco scored from a free-kick.
A red card to its midfield mainstay Apuia in the 43rd minute put the ISL champion on the back foot and Sporting utilised the numerical advantage to find the equaliser through Ashley Koli in the 50th minute.
Bagan , fielding an all-Indian side, restored the lead in the 63rd minute through Suhail Bhat before Colaco scored a penalty in the final minute of added time to complete a facile win.
Earlier in Kokrajhar, local side Bodoland FC (BDFC) registered its first win with a 2-1 victory over debutant Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC (KAMSFC) in a tightly contested Group-D match at the SAI Stadium.
Karbi Anglong found the lead through Nigerian forward Joseph Mayowa Olaleye before Gwgwmsar Gayary found equaliser for Bodoland. Colombian striker Robinson struck near the hour mark to give Bodoland full points.
The results: Group-B (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3 (Liston Colaco 23, 90+6-pen, Suhail Bhat 63) bt Mohd. Sporting 1 (Ashley Koli 50). Group-D (Kokrajhar): Bodoland FC 2 (Gayary 37, Robinson 60) bt Karbi Anglong MS 1 (Olaleye 25).
Published – July 31, 2025 10:04 pm IST
