Sahal Abdul Samad’s strike gives Mohun Bagan a 1-0 win over East Bengal in Durand Cup opener

Photo credit: X/@thedurandcup Mohun Bagan Super Giant started their Durand Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over arch-rivals East Bengal in the opening match of the tournament at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.Sahal Abdul Samad scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute, while goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a series of crucial saves to help Mohun Bagan keep a clean sheet.The decisive moment came after Mohun Bagan pushed high up the pitch. Youngster Kiyan Nassiri won possession near East Bengal’s penalty area before driving to the touchline and sending the ball over the bar. Manvir Singh tried to backheel but failed to make contact, allowing the ball to roll to Sahal, who slotted it into an open net.The win marked a winning start for new Mohun Bagan head coach Panagiotis Dilberis.

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His team remained organized throughout the match, with Kaith leading the defense and Rahul Bheke helping to keep East Bengal’s forwards calm.It has been a losing start for East Bengal under new coach Antonio Habas despite an improved display after the break.The first half was an even affair with Mohun Bagan seeing more of the ball while East Bengal struggled to create chances on the counter attack. Neither team carved out a clear scoring opportunity before halftime as both defenses remained compact.

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Share an opinionEast Bengal piled on the pressure in the last 15 minutes and looked long for an equalizer in Mohun Bagan’s half.Jeakson Singh tried to find PV Vishnu with a long pass from deep but the ball was run out of play. Soon after, Mohammed Rashid volleyed first time to meet a loose ball on the edge of the box, but Deepak Tangri produced a timely sliding block to deny the effort.East Bengal’s biggest chance came in the 87th minute when Vishnu crossed from the left. Dani Ramirez got to the near post but the ball hit the outside of the post and went behind.Kaith then made the decisive save of the match in the second minute of stoppage time. Ramirez volleyed a cross to the far post where Rashid connected from close range but Kaith pounced to his right to tap in and seal Mohun Bagan’s win.The tournament continues on Sunday in Ranchi where Jamshedpur FC will face defending champions NorthEast United FC in a Group C match.