The game could hardly have started better for Mohun Bagan. Just two minutes in, Sahal Abdul Samad capitalised on a loose ball after a mistake in midfield, drove into the box and calmly slotted his finish into the bottom corner to give the Mariners an early advantage.

Mohun Bagan continued to control the opening stages, with Sahal, Tekcham Abhishek Singh and Subhasish Bose creating problems from the flanks. Jamshedpur gradually found their rhythm and began enjoying more possession, with Aman CK providing a constant threat in the final third.

The visitors came close to an equaliser in the 17th minute when Aman was released inside the box, but Vishal Kaith stood firm to make an important near-post save. Jamshedpur also threatened from set pieces, with Pratik Chowdhary heading over from a dangerous free-kick delivery.

Mohun Bagan had opportunities to double their lead, particularly through Dejan Drazic, who missed a couple of promising chances. Despite the Mariners’ pressure, Jamshedpur remained in the contest.

Their persistence finally paid off just before half-time. Devendra Murgaonkar reacted quickest after Kaith could only parry a long-range effort from Rashithoi Meetei, tapping in the rebound to bring Jamshedpur level at 1-1.

The second half became an increasingly open battle. Both teams pushed forward in search of the decisive goal, but neither could find the finishing touch. Sahal came close for Mohun Bagan, while Aman continued to trouble the Mariners’ defence at the other end.

Mohun Bagan were presented with a huge opportunity in the 63rd minute when Albino Gomes came off his line but failed to clear the ball. Sahal won possession and squared it towards Liston Colaco, but the forward was unable to make the most of the chance.

Jamshedpur continued to threaten on the counter, with Aman setting up Sanan Mohammed for an effort that flew over the bar. As the clock wound down, both sides pushed for a late winner, but the defences held firm.

With the score still locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the quarter-final was decided from the penalty spot.

The shootout developed into a remarkable test of composure, with the first 16 penalties in sudden death all being converted. The decisive moment finally arrived when Jamshedpur’s Lawmsangzuala saw his penalty saved by Kaith.

Tekcham Abhishek Singh then stepped forward with the opportunity to send Mohun Bagan through. He kept his nerve and converted, sparking celebrations from the Mariners as they secured a dramatic 9-8 shootout victory.

Mohun Bagan now advance to the Durand Cup semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC on August 20 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

For Jamshedpur FC, a disciplined and determined performance ultimately ended in heartbreak. The Mariners, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of the prestigious Durand Cup after surviving one of the tournament’s most dramatic knockout encounters.

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The Mariners wasted little time taking control of the contest. Sahal Abdul Samad was the star of the evening, scoring a hat-trick as Mohun Bagan repeatedly tore through the CISF defence. Manvir Singh also found the net, while Jamie Maclaren added a late goal to complete another six-goal performance from the Kolkata giants.

Sahal opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before quickly adding another to put Mohun Bagan firmly in command. The midfielder completed his hat-trick in the first half, turning a strong individual performance into one of the standout displays of the tournament.

The Mariners continued to dictate the game after the break, with their movement and passing creating constant problems for CISF. Manvir added to the advantage before Maclaren struck late to put the result beyond doubt.

With the defence also keeping a clean sheet, Mohun Bagan combined attacking firepower with defensive control to comfortably see out the match.

The victory means Mohun Bagan have now won all three of their Group A matches, following earlier victories over East Bengal and South United. They have also confirmed their place in the knockout stages with their group campaign still concluding in emphatic fashion.

For CISF Protectors, the defeat brought a difficult campaign to a close, while Mohun Bagan now turn their attention towards the quarter-finals with their confidence soaring after another statement performance.

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The Kolkata giants wasted no time asserting their dominance and found the breakthrough in just the fourth minute. Sahal Abdul Samad showcased his creativity with a brilliant no-look reverse pass that split the South United defence, allowing Manvir Singh to control the ball before calmly finishing to give the hosts an early lead.

Mohun Bagan doubled their advantage six minutes later through a set-piece. Thapa floated in an inviting corner from the left and Spanish defender Alberto Rodríguez rose highest to power a header into the back of the net.

The Mariners continued to pile on the pressure and grabbed their third goal in the 19th minute. A slick passing move involving Dejan Dražić and Thapa ended with Rahul Bheke meeting the delivery with a towering header to make it 3-0. Just three minutes later, Sahal was once again at the heart of the move as he drove down the left before cutting the ball back for Manvir, who made no mistake to score his second of the evening.

Mohun Bagan headed into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead after completely dominating the opening 45 minutes, allowing South United just a single attempt on goal.

The visitors showed greater determination after the restart and enjoyed more possession in midfield, but the Mariners remained firmly in control. The fifth goal arrived on the hour mark when Thapa delivered another dangerous corner and Manvir timed his run perfectly to head home and complete a superb hat-trick.

Despite South United’s improved display in the second half, Mohun Bagan’s defence, marshalled by captain Subhasish Bose alongside Alberto Rodríguez and Abhimeitei, comfortably dealt with every attacking move.

The sixth goal came in unfortunate fashion for the visitors in the 69th minute. Dražić whipped a dangerous cross into the six-yard box after being released by Sahal, and South United captain Noel S inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear.

The Mariners refused to ease off in the closing stages. Substitute Suhail Ahmad Bhat added his name to the scoresheet in the 90th minute after latching onto another perfectly weighted pass from Sahal before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing with composure.

Deep into stoppage time, Mohun Bagan capped off a memorable evening with an eighth goal. Sahal combined brilliantly with fellow substitute Sayan Banerjee, whose cutback found Suhail inside the box. The forward rifled an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net to complete the rout.

The emphatic victory further strengthens Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s position at the top of Group A and underlines their credentials as one of the favourites to lift this year’s Durand Cup. For South United FC, the defeat leaves them with plenty to improve upon as they look to keep their campaign alive in the remaining group-stage fixtures.

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The match lived up to expectations as a high-intensity contest, with both sides trading blows throughout. Punjab struck first in the 12th minute when Dani Ramírez capitalised on a well-worked move to give the visitors an early lead.

Mohun Bagan responded strongly and found their equaliser midway through the first half. Jamie Maclaren produced a moment of quality inside the box, beating his marker before firing home to level the scores.

The second half continued in the same entertaining fashion. Punjab regained the lead around the hour mark, with Nsungusi Jr. Effiong finishing clinically to restore their advantage and put the hosts under pressure once again.

However, Mohun Bagan refused to back down. Substitute Sahal Abdul Samad made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning long-range effort to bring his side back on level terms and set up a tense finale.

With both teams pushing for a winner, the decisive moment arrived in stoppage time. Mohun Bagan were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, and Cummings stepped up to curl a superb effort into the top corner, sealing a dramatic victory.

Punjab FC pushed forward in the dying moments in search of another equaliser, but Mohun Bagan held firm to secure all three points. The win lifts the Mariners to second place in the standings, keeping them firmly in the title race after a thrilling contest.

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The hosts began the game with attacking intent and soon found their rhythm. After a few early chances from both sides, Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 14th minute. Dimitri Petratos initiated the move with a clever backheel before captain Subhasish Bose delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, allowing Jamie Maclaren to head home the opener.

Maclaren doubled the lead in the 24th minute after Liston Colaco found him inside the penalty area. With time and space, the Australian forward calmly finished past the goalkeeper to give the Mariners a comfortable advantage.

Mohun Bagan’s dominance continued as centre-back Alberto Rodríguez added a third in the 42nd minute with a low strike from distance that beat Amrinder Singh in the Odisha goal. The visitors responded almost immediately when Rahim Ali capitalised on a long ball and calmly slotted past Vishal Kaith to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

However, Mohun Bagan restored their three-goal cushion just before the break. Colaco delivered another dangerous ball into the box and Maclaren was perfectly positioned to tap it in, completing his hat-trick and sending the hosts into half-time with a commanding 4-1 lead.

The second half saw Mohun Bagan continue to control the tempo of the match. Colaco and Petratos both came close to adding to the tally, while Odisha tried to find openings through occasional attacking moves.

The final blow came in the 88th minute when substitute Manvir Singh launched a long ball forward that found Maclaren near the edge of the box. The striker showed great composure to finish past Amrinder Singh and secure his fourth goal of the night, sealing a convincing 5-1 victory for the Mariners.

Despite a few late attempts from Odisha, goalkeeper Vishal Kaith stood firm to deny them another goal, ensuring Mohun Bagan closed the match in dominant fashion. The result further strengthens the Mariners’ impressive start to the season as they continue their march at the top of the table.

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Both head coaches opted for unchanged starting line-ups, seeking continuity, but it was the Mariners who settled quicker into the contest. They controlled possession early, while Chennaiyin looked to create openings through counter-attacks. The visitors nearly found a breakthrough when Dinliana’s cross located Iñigo Martín inside the box, but the forward failed to make contact.

Mohun Bagan steadily increased the pressure. Anirudh Thapa came close with a volley that flew just over the bar, and Dimitrios Petratos forced a sharp save from Mohammad Nawaz. The Chennaiyin goalkeeper was later forced off due to injury after a collision, with Samik Mitra stepping in.

The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time. Thapa dispossessed Irfan Yadwad and immediately slipped a precise through ball into the path of Jamie Maclaren. The Australian striker timed his run perfectly and finished calmly to give the hosts a deserved lead at the interval.

The Mariners continued on the front foot after the restart. Maclaren came close to doubling the advantage on multiple occasions, while sustained attacking pressure kept Chennaiyin pinned back. Just past the hour mark, Mohun Bagan found their second. Liston Colaco switched play brilliantly before Subhasish Bose delivered a cross into the box. Petratos arrived unmarked at the back post and struck a crisp first-time volley past the goalkeeper, sealing control of the match. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Mohun Bagan had further chances to extend the margin, with Petratos, Maclaren, and substitute Jason Cummings all testing the goalkeeper. Chennaiyin, meanwhile, struggled to threaten and failed to register a shot on target throughout the game. Their only late attempt from Gurkirat Singh drifted wide in stoppage time.

In the end, the two-goal cushion was more than enough for Mohun Bagan SG to record their second consecutive win, continuing their strong start to the season with authority.

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At the Salt Lake Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giant looked sharp and organised from the first whistle against Kerala Blasters. The Mariners controlled possession for long spells and created the better chances in the first half. Their pressure paid off when Jamie Maclaren found the breakthrough with a composed finish, giving the home side the early advantage.

Kerala Blasters attempted to respond after the break and showed more attacking intent in the second half. However, Bagan’s defence stayed disciplined and limited clear openings. As the match entered stoppage time, Tom Aldred stepped up to add another goal, sealing a confident opening-day win and underlining why the Kolkata giants remain strong contenders this season.

In the other fixture, FC Goa were handed a tough challenge by newcomers Inter Kashi. Despite being the more experienced ISL side, Goa found it difficult to break down a determined Inter Kashi defence in the first half. The visitors surprised many by taking the lead just before half-time, putting pressure on the Gaurs in front of their home crowd.

The second half saw Goa increase the tempo and push numbers forward. Inter Kashi were later reduced to ten men, which shifted the momentum further in Goa’s favour. Persistent attacks eventually resulted in a late penalty, calmly converted by Dejan Dražić to rescue a point for the home side.

The opening day showcased different narratives — a dominant start from the defending champions and a spirited display from a debutant side eager to prove themselves. With strong performances, tactical battles, and late twists, ISL 2025–26 has already delivered excitement from day one

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The issue stems from MBSG’s failure to appear for their Group C match against Sepahan SC, scheduled to be played in Iran on September 30, 2025. The club stated that they were unable to travel due to security risks, government advisories, and the unavailability of insurance coverage, all of which raised concerns over player safety.

This incident proved costly as it was the second consecutive season in which Mohun Bagan pulled out of an away fixture in Iran. Due to this repeated action, the AFC decided to impose stricter sanctions, resulting in a ban covering two AFC club competition cycles.

As per the ruling, MBSG will be ineligible for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 AFC club seasons. However, the AFC clarified how the ban will be applied. If Mohun Bagan qualify for continental competition by winning the ISL Shield in either the 2025–26 or 2026–27 season, the ban will be served in the 2026–27 season, which would allow them to return to AFC competition in 2027–28, provided they qualify again. If they do not qualify during that period, the ban will apply to the next available AFC slot.

Before withdrawing, Mohun Bagan had requested the AFC to allow the match to be played at a neutral venue, but the request was denied. The club then approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking urgent relief, but their appeal for a provisional measure was unsuccessful, leaving the AFC decision in place.

The ruling is a major setback for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, one of India’s most prominent clubs, and could impact their continental ambitions in the coming seasons. While the club maintained that player safety was the top priority, the AFC has taken a firm stance on participation obligations, especially in cases of repeated withdrawals.

The situation highlights the growing challenges Indian clubs face in continental competitions, particularly regarding travel, security, and administrative constraints, and is likely to spark wider discussions within Indian football moving forward.

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Also Read: Hope United Register Convincing 4–0

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In one of Indian football’s most anticipated fixtures, both teams entered the clash level on points, but East Bengal’s superior goal difference meant a draw would be enough for them to progress. Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, needed a win to stay alive, setting the stage for an intense and emotional Kolkata Derby.

The match lived up to its billing, filled with high energy and dramatic moments. East Bengal started with purpose, keeping possession and creating early pressure. Nandhakumar Sekar and Cleiton Silva tested Mohun Bagan’s defence, while the backline, led by Lalchungnunga and Hijazi Maher, stood tall against Bagan’s attacks.

Mohun Bagan pushed hard in the second half, with Jason Cummings and Dimitri Petratos both coming close, but East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill remained alert to preserve the clean sheet. Despite the late surge from the Mariners, the Red and Gold Brigade held firm until the final whistle.

The draw confirmed East Bengal’s place in the semi-finals, finishing top of Group A with five points. Mohun Bagan ended their campaign with the same number of points but fell short on goal difference.

For East Bengal, this result is another proud moment in their resurgence under Carles Cuadrat. As they march into the last four, the Red and Gold faithful will hope this momentum carries them closer to silverware.

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