Mohun Bagan Super Giant stormed into the quarterfinals of the 135th Durand Cup with a dominant 6-0 demolition of CISF Protectors at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday, 10 August, capping a perfect group-stage run with three wins from three matches and top spot in Group A.

Sahal's Stunning Hat-Trick Sets the Tone

Midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad was the standout performer of the evening, netting a scintillating first-half hat-trick in the 17th, 19th, and 37th minutes. His opener came courtesy of a defence-splitting pass from Dejan Dražić, with Liston Colaco squaring for Sahal to tap home. Two minutes later, Manvir Singh threaded a delightful ball to Dražić, whose cutback Sahal converted at close range.

Sahal's third was the pick of the lot — picking up possession near the halfway line, the midfielder drove forward, glided past defenders and calmly slotted a right-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete a memorable individual display in the first 45 minutes.

Mariners Flood the Scoresheet Before Half-Time

Manvir Singh added Mohun Bagan's third in the 24th minute, controlling a whipped cross from Tekcham Abhishek Singh before finishing confidently to make it 3-0. The Mariners headed into the interval with a commanding 4-0 lead, having dominated possession at 75 per cent, while CISF managed just one off-target effort across the opening 45 minutes. CISF's captain Mohammad Khalid marshalled the defence gamely in the early exchanges, but the relentless wave of Mohun Bagan attacks ultimately proved too much.

Second-Half Substitutions Keep the Pressure On

Coach Panagiotis Dilimperis introduced four changes at the break — Asish Rai, Alex Saji, Kiyan Nassiri Giri, and Abhishek Dhananjay Suryavanshi — fielding an all-Indian line-up in the second half. Although the Mariners' finishing briefly deserted them after the restart, Sahal delivered again in the 68th minute, producing a sublime no-look through ball that released substitute Jamie Maclaren, who slotted coolly through the goalkeeper's legs to make it 5-0.

Five minutes later, Tekcham Abhishek Singh capped a fine personal display by combining with Liston Colaco and finishing precisely into the roof of the net for the sixth goal. CISF came close to a consolation in the closing stages, with Gurpal Singh forcing Mohun Bagan's goalkeeper into an excellent late save, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Perfect Group Stage, Quarterfinal Awaits

The result confirms Mohun Bagan Super Giant as Group A winners with a flawless record — three wins, nine points, 14 goals scored, zero conceded across the group stage. CISF Protectors exit the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup without registering a single point from their three matches. The Mariners now await their quarterfinal opponents as the tournament moves into the knockout rounds.