Sahal Abdul Samad hits a brilliant hat-trick as Mohun Bagan complete a perfect Group A campaign with three wins from three matches
Durand Cup 2026 saw Mohun Bagan Super Giant deliver a commanding performance, defeating CISF Protectors 6-0 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan to finish top of Group A and book their place in the quarter-finals.
The Mariners produced an emphatic attacking display from the opening minutes, with Sahal Abdul Samad emerging as the star of the night after scoring a spectacular first-half hat-trick. Manvir Singh, Jamie Maclaren and Tekcham Abhishek Singh also got on the scoresheet as Mohun Bagan completed a perfect group-stage campaign with three victories from three matches.
The result underlined the gulf between the two teams on the night. Mohun Bagan controlled possession, created repeated chances and eventually turned the contest into a one-sided affair. CISF Protectors, who had already suffered defeats in their previous two group matches, were unable to contain the Mariners’ attacking movement and finished their campaign without a point.
All 43 matches of the 135th Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV.
Table of Contents
Mohun Bagan Enter With Quarter-Final Place Already Secured
Mohun Bagan had already accumulated six points from their opening two matches before facing CISF Protectors in the Durand Cup 2026 campaign.
That meant the Kolkata giants entered the game with their quarter-final qualification already confirmed. However, the result remained important because they were competing for top position in Group A and looking to maintain their winning momentum in the Durand Cup 2026.
CISF Protectors had a very different objective. Having lost their first two games, the side was aiming to finish its campaign with a positive performance and potentially cause an upset against one of India’s leading clubs.
Instead, Mohun Bagan quickly demonstrated why they were among the favourites to progress deep into the Durand Cup 2026 tournament.
CISF Defence Holds Firm Early
The opening stages of the Durand Cup 2026 encounter saw CISF Protectors attempt to absorb pressure and protect their goal.
The defence, marshalled by captain Mohammad Khalid, initially managed to deal with repeated attacks from Mohun Bagan. The Mariners dominated possession and territory, but CISF prevented them from finding an immediate breakthrough.
Subhasish Bose produced the first notable effort in the ninth minute, testing the goalkeeper with a low long-range shot.
The attempt served as a warning that Mohun Bagan were beginning to find their rhythm in the Durand Cup 2026 fixture.
The pressure eventually became too much for the Protectors.
Sahal Abdul Samad Opens the Scoring
Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 17th minute following an excellent attacking move in the Durand Cup 2026 match.
Dejan Dražić produced a defence-splitting pass from inside his own half, sending Tekcham Abhishek Singh into space on the right flank.
Abhishek Singh’s effort took a deflection and fell into the path of Liston Colaco. Rather than attempting to finish himself, Colaco showed composure and awareness by cutting the ball back for Sahal Abdul Samad.
Sahal made no mistake, applying the finishing touch to put Mohun Bagan 1-0 ahead.
The goal rewarded the Mariners’ sustained pressure and opened the game up in the Durand Cup 2026 contest.
Sahal Doubles the Lead Two Minutes Later
Mohun Bagan did not allow CISF any opportunity to recover.
Just two minutes after opening the scoring, the Mariners produced another fluid attacking move in the Durand Cup 2026 encounter.
This time Manvir Singh played a perfectly weighted pass towards Dražić on the right. The Serbian remained composed and delivered the ball across the area for Sahal.
The midfielder completed the move by tapping the ball into the net for his second goal in the space of two minutes.
The sudden two-goal advantage effectively changed the complexion of the Durand Cup 2026 match.
CISF were now forced to respond offensively, while Mohun Bagan had even more space in which to operate.
Manvir Singh Adds a Third
Mohun Bagan continued to exploit the gaps appearing in the CISF defensive structure during the Durand Cup 2026 fixture.
Manvir Singh came close to scoring before eventually finding the net himself in the 24th minute.
Tekcham Abhishek Singh delivered a dangerous cross from the right, and Manvir controlled it brilliantly before finishing confidently.
The goal made it 3-0 and reflected the increasing fluency of Mohun Bagan’s attack in the Durand Cup 2026.
The Mariners were not simply relying on individual brilliance. Their passing combinations, movement and ability to attack from wide areas repeatedly exposed the Protectors.
CISF Escape an Own-Goal Scare
The pressure almost produced a fourth goal shortly afterwards.
Manvir capitalised on a misplaced pass and burst into the penalty area, creating a dangerous situation for CISF in the Durand Cup 2026 match.
Muneesh Kumar, however, made an important intervention to prevent what could have become an own goal.
The moment offered CISF a brief reprieve, but Mohun Bagan remained firmly in control.
Their constant pressure meant that the Protectors had little opportunity to move the game away from their own defensive third.
Sahal Completes a Stunning Hat-Trick
Sahal Abdul Samad then produced the highlight of the first half.
In the 37th minute, the midfielder collected possession near the halfway line and embarked on a determined run towards the goal.
He glided past defenders with confidence before remaining composed in front of the goalkeeper and finishing with his right foot.
The goal completed his hat-trick and took Mohun Bagan’s lead to 4-0.
It was more than just a third goal. The finish underlined Sahal’s influence throughout the match and capped a remarkable first-half performance in the Durand Cup 2026.
Mohun Bagan Dominate Possession Before Half-Time
The Mariners entered the interval with a commanding 4-0 lead in the Durand Cup 2026.
Their dominance was reflected statistically as well, with Mohun Bagan controlling 75 per cent of possession during the first half. CISF Protectors managed only one effort that failed to test the target.
The numbers showed how thoroughly Mohun Bagan had controlled the contest in the Durand Cup 2026.
Their passing was more purposeful, their movement was more effective and their ability to transition into the final third consistently caused problems for the CISF defence.
For the Protectors, the challenge at half-time was not simply about reducing the deficit but finding a way to prevent further damage in the Durand Cup 2026.
Four Changes Made at Half-Time
Mohun Bagan head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis used the interval to rotate his squad for the second half of the Durand Cup 2026 clash.
Four players — Asish Rai, Alex Saji, Kiyan Nassiri Giri and Abhishek Dhananjay Suryavanshi — were introduced.
The changes resulted in an all-Indian line-up for the second half.
With the match already heavily in their favour, the substitutions gave the coaching staff an opportunity to manage the squad and distribute playing time while maintaining the team’s overall structure.
The changes did not affect Mohun Bagan’s dominance in the Durand Cup 2026.
Mariners Continue Creating Chances
Mohun Bagan continued to threaten after the restart, although their finishing temporarily became less precise.
Manvir Singh came close when he attempted to chip the advancing Raj Kumar Mahato, but the effort narrowly missed the target.
He later had another chance after an excellent cross from Asish Rai, but his header also went wide.
Liston Colaco created further danger but saw one of his efforts blocked following another threatening delivery, this time from Alex Saji.
Raj Kumar also denied Manvir after the striker took one touch too many inside the area.
Despite those missed chances, Mohun Bagan remained completely in control of the Durand Cup 2026 match.
Jamie Maclaren Makes It Five
The fifth goal finally arrived in the 68th minute.
Sahal, already the star of the match, turned creator this time.
He produced a superb no-look through ball that released substitute Jamie Maclaren.
Maclaren opened up his body and calmly placed the finish through the goalkeeper’s legs.
The goal made it 5-0 and further underlined the depth of attacking quality available to Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2026.
Sahal’s contribution was particularly impressive. After scoring three times in the first half, he remained influential in the second period by producing the pass that created another goal.
Tekcham Abhishek Singh Completes the Rout
Mohun Bagan’s sixth and final goal arrived just five minutes later.
Liston Colaco combined neatly with Tekcham Abhishek Singh, who timed his run perfectly into the penalty area.
The move culminated in a precise finish into the roof of the net.
The goal completed a 6-0 victory and provided a fitting end to a dominant Durand Cup 2026 performance.
Abhishek Singh had already played an important role earlier in the match, contributing to the build-up for Sahal’s opening goal, and he now added his own name to the scoresheet.
CISF Push for a Consolation Goal
Even with the match beyond doubt, CISF Protectors continued to search for something to take from the closing stages of the Durand Cup 2026 encounter.
Jacob C delivered a promising cross, but substitute Gaurab Das was unable to direct his effort on target.
Das later tested Syed Zahid Hussain with a powerful free-kick.
Gurpal Singh also came close deep into stoppage time, forcing the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper into an excellent save after capitalising on a defensive lapse.
Those late moments showed that CISF were still willing to attack, but they could not find a consolation goal.
Perfect Group-Stage Campaign for Mohun Bagan
The 6-0 victory completed a perfect Group A campaign for Mohun Bagan.
The Mariners finished with three wins from three matches, collecting the maximum nine points and securing top spot in the group.
The performance also provided a major boost ahead of the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup 2026, where the Kolkata side will now enter as one of the teams to watch.
The combination of attacking depth, possession control and strong finishing demonstrated why Mohun Bagan remain one of the leading contenders in the tournament.
CISF Protectors Bow Out Without a Point
For CISF Protectors, the campaign ended in disappointment.
The side failed to register a point in the group stage after suffering three consecutive defeats.
Their final match was particularly difficult because they were facing a Mohun Bagan team that had already secured qualification and was playing with confidence in the Durand Cup 2026.
Despite moments of resistance early in the game and a few late attempts, CISF were unable to prevent a heavy defeat.
Their elimination marks the end of their 135th Durand Cup campaign.
Sahal Abdul Samad Emerges as the Night’s Star
Sahal Abdul Samad was undoubtedly the key figure in Mohun Bagan’s victory.
His first-half hat-trick transformed the match and gave the Mariners an unassailable lead before the interval.
More importantly, he remained influential after halftime, producing a clever no-look pass that allowed Jamie Maclaren to score the fifth goal.
His performance combined finishing, movement and creativity, making him the standout player of the contest.
For Mohun Bagan, having a player capable of influencing a match in multiple ways will be a significant advantage as the Durand Cup 2026 enters the knockout stage.
Mohun Bagan Build Momentum for the Knockout Stage
The comprehensive victory provides Mohun Bagan with substantial momentum heading into the quarter-finals.
Three wins from three matches represent the ideal group-stage outcome, while the 6-0 scoreline underlines the team’s attacking strength in the Durand Cup 2026.
The challenge now becomes maintaining that level of performance when the margin for error disappears.
Unlike the group stage, the quarter-finals will be a knockout fixture, meaning one poor performance could end the campaign.
The Mariners will therefore need to balance their attacking ambitions with defensive discipline.
Durand Cup Campaign Enters a Crucial Phase
The 135th Durand Cup is now moving into its most decisive stage.
With the group phase nearing completion, the quarter-finals will bring a new level of pressure and intensity.
Mohun Bagan’s perfect group-stage record puts them in a strong position, but the knockout rounds will test their consistency, squad depth and ability to handle pressure.
Their 6-0 win over CISF Protectors has nonetheless sent a clear message to the rest of the competition.
A Statement Victory for the Mariners
Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s 6-0 victory was more than just another group-stage result.
It was a complete attacking performance that saw Sahal Abdul Samad score three times, while Manvir Singh, Jamie Maclaren and Tekcham Abhishek Singh also found the net.
The Mariners dominated possession, created chances throughout the game and prevented CISF from developing any sustained attacking threat.
The result secured top spot in Group A, completed a three-from-three campaign and sent Mohun Bagan into the quarter-finals with confidence.
For the supporters, the night at Kishore Bharati Krirangan offered another reminder of the team’s attacking potential.
For the players and coaching staff, it provided an ideal platform from which to approach the knockout stage of the 135th Durand Cup.
