Manvir Singh hat-trick powers Mohun Bagan to 8-0 rout of South United in Durand Cup
Synopsis
Mohun Bagan Super Giant didn't just win — they announced themselves. An 8-0 demolition of South United FC, powered by Manvir Singh's hat-trick and Sahal Abdul Samad's orchestration, is the biggest scoreline of the 135th Durand Cup so far and puts the Mariners firmly in command of Group A with a perfect six points from two games.
Key Takeaways
Manvir Singh scored a hat-trick in the 4th, 22nd, and 60th minutes to headline Mohun Bagan Super Giant's 8-0 win.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat added a brace in the 90th and 90+1st minutes ; Alberto Rodríguez , Rahul Bheke , and an own goal by Noel S completed the tally.
Sahal Abdul Samad created chances throughout and struck the woodwork twice, in the 32nd and 35th minutes .
Mohun Bagan lead Group A with six points from two matches; South United FC are third with three points .
The result is the largest margin of victory in the 135th Durand Cup so far, played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata .
Manvir Singh delivered a clinical hat-trick as Mohun Bagan Super Giant dismantled South United Football Club 8-0 in their Group A fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday, 4 August. The emphatic victory — Mohun Bagan's second consecutive win in the tournament — was built on relentless attacking football and a masterclass in set-piece execution.
How the Goals Came
Manvir opened his account in the 4th minute, converting a sumptuous no-look reverse pass from Sahal Abdul Samad with a composed right-footed finish. Spanish defender Alberto Rodríguez headed home from an Anirudh Thapa corner to double the lead before Rahul Bheke powered in a towering header in the 19th minute following a neat combination involving new signing Dejan Dražić and Thapa.
Manvir grabbed his second on 22 minutes, slotting home after Sahal's driving run and a precise cut-back. The Mariners went into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead, having restricted South United to a solitary shot on goal in the first half.
The hat-trick was completed on the hour mark — Manvir ghosting away from his marker to meet a Thapa corner with a diving header into the far corner. South United captain Noel S then turned a Dražić cross into his own net in the 69th minute. Substitute Suhail Ahmad Bhat rounded off the scoring with a brace in the 90th and 90+1st minutes, the second a rifled finish into the roof of the net after a delightful Sahal-Sayan Banerjee combination.
Sahal's Orchestrating Role
While Manvir took the match ball, Sahal Abdul Samad was the architect of almost every attacking move. The midfielder struck the woodwork twice in quick succession — hitting the right post in the 32nd minute and again three minutes later with a fierce long-range effort — before repeatedly threading key passes that unlocked the South United defence. His all-round display underlined why he remains central to head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis' system.
Tactical Picture
Dilimperis deployed his preferred 4-4-2 formation, handing starts to new signings Dražić and Bheke. South United head coach Kaja Mohideen Bhadussa set up in a 3-4-3 with Makakmayum Daniyal leading the line, but his side's best moment came in the 37th minute when Daniyal forced Vishal Kaith into a fine diving save. South United goalkeeper Sunil Singh made several sharp stops to prevent an even heavier scoreline.
Group A Standings
Mohun Bagan Super Giant sit top of Group A with six points from two matches. South United FC remain third with three points from the same number of games. The result marks the largest winning margin so far in this edition of the 135th Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament.
What's Next
Attention in the Durand Cup turns to Wednesday's fixtures: NEROCA FC face Indian Navy FT in Group D at 4:00 PM at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal, while Indian Army FT take on Baghpat FC in Group B at 7:00 PM at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. Mohun Bagan will look to maintain their perfect record as the group stage progresses.
Point of View
And the quality gap between ISL heavyweights and lower-ranked sides in the Durand Cup remains uncomfortably wide. What is more telling than the goals, though, is the architecture behind them — Sahal Abdul Samad's creativity was the engine, and new signings Dražić and Bheke slotted in without friction. The real test for Dilimperis' side comes when they face opponents who can actually press back. Until then, this is a statement of intent, not a benchmark.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Mohun Bagan vs South United FC in the 135th Durand Cup?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated South United FC 8-0 in their Group A fixture of the 135th Durand Cup on 4 August at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. It is the largest winning margin in this edition of the tournament so far.
Who scored for Mohun Bagan Super Giant against South United?
Manvir Singh scored a hat-trick in the 4th, 22nd, and 60th minutes. Alberto Rodríguez and Rahul Bheke added headers, South United captain Noel S scored an own goal, and substitute Suhail Ahmad Bhat completed the rout with a brace in the 90th and 90+1st minutes.
Where does Mohun Bagan stand in the Durand Cup 2025 Group A table?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant lead Group A with six points from two wins. South United FC are third with three points from two matches.
What role did Sahal Abdul Samad play in the 8-0 win?
Sahal Abdul Samad was the creative hub of Mohun Bagan's attack, assisting multiple goals and fashioning numerous chances. He struck the woodwork twice — in the 32nd and 35th minutes — and was involved in the build-up to almost every goal, despite not scoring himself.
What are the next fixtures in the 135th Durand Cup?
On Wednesday, NEROCA FC face Indian Navy FT in Group D at 4:00 PM at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, and Indian Army FT take on Baghpat FC in Group B at 7:00 PM at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
