Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated the newly-promoted Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC 2-0 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday and move closer to the knockout stages of the Durand Cup.

Goals in each half allowed the Mariners to secure two wins in a row, with an own goal from Melroy Assisi and a second-half goal from Hugo Boumous.

The Kolkata side dominated the match right from the start, with wingers Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco consistently troubling the opponent's full-backs. However, their attacking strength appeared slightly diminished compared to their performance in the opening match.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant took the lead in the 22nd minute when Manvir made a strong run down the right channel, delivering a teasing cross for Suhail Bhat. However, it was Melroy who accidentally put the ball into his own net while attempting to clear it before it could reach Bhat.

The score remained unchanged until halftime, and both head coaches introduced new players after the break. Punjab FC seemed more threatening after introducing Juan Mera, but it was the Mariners who capitalized. Punjab FC's goalkeeper, Kiran Limbu, failed to catch Colaco's cross, and French playmaker Boumous made no mistake in putting the ball into the net from close range.

The Shers nearly pulled one back through Luka Majcen, but Vishal Kaith made a fantastic save to deny the opposition. Punjab FC brought in more fresh legs, but the MBSG defence made it extremely difficult for them to get back into the game.

With six points from two games, Juan Ferrando's side will be brimming with confidence ahead of the Kolkata Derby on Saturday, while Punjab FC will face Bangladesh Army on Thursday in pursuit of three points.

Odisha FC face defeat in their opening match

Liton Shil’s first-half strike saw Indian Army register a win against Odisha FC in the earlier fixture on Monday at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar.

The Indian Army side started the game with an aggressive mindset, launching attack after attack on the Odisha FC box. They had a golden opportunity within the opening minute as an unmarked Rahul Ramakrishnan failed to capitalize on a well-executed cutback from right winger L. Deepak Singh. Christopher Kamei's subsequent shot was saved by Odisha FC's goalkeeper, Niraj Kumar, during the next Army attack.

Indian Army continued putting pressure on the young inexperienced Odisha FC side and they were rightly rewarded with the opening goal of the game in the 42nd minute when Samir Murmu played a precise through ball to centre-forward Liton Shil, who skillfully evaded two defenders and expertly finished a beyond the Odisha FC keeper.
The ISL side started the second half with more vigour looking for the equalizer but the Army men used their experience to slow down the game and play it to their advantage against the youngsters of Odisha FC. Liton Shil was always posing a threat for the Odisha FC defence along with Deepak Singh with Christopher Kamei controlling the proceedings from midfield.

Indian Army were reduced to ten men in the 77th minute as goal scorer Liton Shil was shown a straight red card for a clumsy foul on Odisha FC defender Tankadhar Bag. Odisha FC put continuous pressure on the Army side but the Army men saw off the dangers, despite being reduced to 10 men, to open their Durand Cup campaign with a win.

The Juggernauts will next face off against Rajasthan United in their second group-stage match on Friday.

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Odisha FCMohun Bagan Super GiantPunjab FC