Mohun Bagan Super Giant dismantled Diamond Harbour FC with a ruthless 5-1 win at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, sealing a quarter-final berth in the Durand Cup 2025 with an exhibition of incisive attacking football.
The ISL champions, fielding a reshuffled line-up owing to injuries and suspension, brushed aside any concerns over missing regular starters to deliver a performance that combined speed, precision and composure. Anirudh Thapa struck first in the 19th minute, deftly placing the ball into the net from a Sahal Abdul Samad assist, signalling Mohun Bagan’s intent early in the contest.
Diamond Harbour’s response was swift, Slovenian striker Luka Majcen drawing level in the 24th minute to briefly ignite hopes for the tournament newcomers. Those hopes faded when Jamie Maclaren, set up once again by Sahal, restored Mohun Bagan’s lead in the 35th minute with clinical assurance.
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The second half saw the Mariners seize complete control. Just five minutes after the restart, DHFC defender Naresh Singh was sent off for bringing down Liston Colaco inside the area. Colaco made no mistake from the spot, converting the penalty in the 51st minute to extend the lead to 3-1.
Sahal then got onto the scoresheet himself in the 64th minute, capping a fine personal display before substitute Jason Cummings, replacing Maclaren, slotted home the fifth in the 80th minute to complete the rout.
Head coach Jose Molina, forced to omit Manvir Singh, Alberto Rodriguez and Suhail Bhat due to injuries and Dippendu Biswas through suspension, praised the adaptability of his side. The reshaped eleven not only coped but flourished, nullifying a DHFC attack that had netted ten goals in its previous two outings.
Despite the defeat, Diamond Harbour ended the group stage with six points, finishing second. With two quarter-final spots reserved for the best second-placed teams, they must now wait for the completion of all group fixtures to discover their fate.
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