Manvir Singh's hat-trick and a Suhail Bhat brace headlined Mohun Bagan Super Giant's 8-0 demolition of South United FC, while SC Delhi staged a second-half comeback to beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in Ranchi.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant strengthened its hold on the top of Group A with an 8-0 thrashing of South United FC for its second straight win in the 135th Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
Manvir Singh starred with a hat-trick, scoring in the 4th, 22nd and 60th minutes, while substitute Suhail Bhat struck twice in three minutes, netting in the 89th and 90+1st minutes. Alberto Rodriguez (10th minute) and Rahul Bheke (19th minute) also found the net, while an own goal by South United defender Noel S. in the 69th minute completed the rout.
South United, which had opened its campaign with a 2-0 win over CISF Protectors, was simply outclassed by Bagan, who scored as early as the fourth minute and kept adding to the tally until second-half stoppage time.
The win took Bagan to six points from two matches, while East Bengal and South United remained on three points apiece from two games.
In Group C action at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, debutant Lalrinliana Hnamte scored twice in five minutes as Sporting Club Delhi came from behind to beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1. After Sanan Mohammed had given Jamshedpur the lead in the 22nd minute, Hnamte struck in the 51st and 56th minutes to secure SC Delhi's win.
Despite the defeat, Jamshedpur stayed top of the group on goal difference, level on three points with SC Delhi, which has played only one match so far.
The results: Group A (Kolkata): Mohun Bagan SG 8 (Manvir Singh 4, 22, 60; Alberto Rodriguez 10; Rahul Bheke 19; Noel S. 69-og; Suhail Bhat 89, 90+1) beat South United 0. Group C (Ranchi): Jamshedpur FC 1 (Sanan Mohammed 22) lost to SC Delhi 2 (Lalrinliana Hnamte 51, 56).
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.