Can Clayton Silva Lead Diamond Harbour FC to Glory in the 134th Durand Cup?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Clayton Silva scored four goals, leading the team.
- Diamond Harbour FC achieved a dominant 8-1 victory.
- Luka Majcen contributed with two goals.
- Paul and Jobby Justin also scored, displaying team strength.
- Diamond Harbour FC tops Group B heading into the next match.
Kolkata, Aug 2 (NationPress) Brazilian forward Clayton Silva shone brightly, scoring four goals (2’, 35’, 71’, 90+3’) as Diamond Harbour FC triumphed over BSF Football Club with an impressive 8-1 victory in their Group B match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) on Friday.
Slovenian striker Luka Majcen contributed with two goals (7’, 39’), while Paul (53’) and Jobby Justin (67’) further added to the scoreline for Diamond Harbour FC, marking their second consecutive win. The sole goal for BSF FC came from Kishori in the 90th minute.
This resounding victory propelled Diamond Harbour FC to the top of Group B with six points and a goal difference of +7 from two matches, setting the stage for their crucial showdown against Mohun Bagan on August 9.
Diamond Harbour, the champions of I-League 2, wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as Clayton Silva netted the opening goal just two minutes in with a composed right-footed finish from a Jobby Justin assist. Luka Majcen quickly doubled the lead, capitalizing on a scramble in the box after a play from Clayton.
Despite BSF’s efforts to gain momentum, they were significantly outmatched in midfield and struggled to contain Diamond Harbour’s formidable attacking trio of Silva, Majcen, and Paul. Silva struck again in the 35th minute with a volley from Girik’s cross, and just four minutes later, Majcen scored to make it 4-0 after receiving a lofted pass from Silva.
BSF’s best chance in the first half came in the 43rd minute when keeper Susnata Malik denied Kishori’s shot. However, Diamond Harbour went into halftime with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Jose Antonio’s squad continued their onslaught in the second half, with Paul scoring the fifth goal in the 53rd minute with a low drive. BSF’s defense remained under constant pressure, allowing Jobby Justin to head in the sixth goal from a corner kick taken by Samuel in the 67th minute.
Silva completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute, taking advantage of a failed clearance following another corner kick. Although BSF managed to score a consolation goal through Kishori in the 90th minute after a neat assist from Harmandeep, it was hardly enough to alter the outcome.
The Brazilian capped off an extraordinary performance with his fourth goal in injury time, unleashing a powerful shot from outside the box to end the match at 8-1.