Colombian Robinson Blandon Rendon struck in the second half to lead Bodoland FC to a narrow 1-0 win that not only eliminated Punjab FC from Durand Cup but also perched the local side on top of the Group D in the tournament, here Saturday.
Punjab FC ended the group stage campaign with four points from two matches while Bodoland FC have six points from two matches.
The first half unfolded in heavy rain, with Punjab FC immediately taking the initiative against Bodoland FC.
Nikhil Prabhu led from the back, threading passes into midfield where Princeton Rebello pulled the strings, launching an early strike that whistled just over the crossbar.
On the wings, Vishal and Suhail probed for openings, keeping Bodoland pinned in their own half during the opening exchanges.
Bodoland, though under pressure, showed flashes of attacking intent. Gwgwmsar produced a brilliant through ball to Junior, whose low drive was safely held by Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar.
The physical battle intensified when S. Meitei lunged into a late challenge, earning the game’s first yellow card. Despite Punjab’s territorial dominance, Bodoland’s defensive pairing of Mosang Basumatary and Dinesh Basumatary stood firm, cutting out crosses and blocking shots. As the whistle blew for half-time, the score remained 0–0, with Punjab FC’s attacking trio unable to breach Bodoland’s disciplined and rain-hardened defence.
With the rain easing into a heavy drizzle to start the second half at SAI Stadium Bodoland quickly seized the momentum.
The turning point came in the second half when Gwgwmsar delivered a teasing cross into the Punjab box. Amid the scramble, Colombian striker Robinson Blandon Rendon, showing his predatory instincts, latched onto the rebound and rifled the ball past goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, sending the home fans into jubilation, giving BDFC a vital 1–0 lead.
Punjab FC responded with urgency, rippling their frontline with fresh legs in a desperate attempt to level.
Yet Bodoland’s backline marshaled by defenders like Mosang Basumatary held firm, repelling crosses and blocking shots. Punjab’s efforts fell short, as their shots either went wide or were comfortably dealt with by the home side’s defense.
The tension swelled in the waning minutes, but Bodoland’s resilience and defending in numbers paid dividends.
The local side, pushed by the huge support of the fans, ensured that they maintained the lead and secure their second straight win of the tournament, their best performance in the Durand Cup.
Mohun Bagan outclass Diamond Harbour 5-1, enter quarterfinals
Kolkata, Aug 9 (PTI): Dominant Mohun Bagan Super Giant overcame Diamond Harbour FC 5-1 to storm into the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup here on Saturday.
In a crunch Group B match, Anirudh Thapa gave the lead to the Mariners as Luka Majcen equalised after five minutes but Jamie MacLaren, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad and Jason Cummings ensured that Mohun Bagan qualified for the quarterfinals as group winners.
Diamond Harbour will now have to rely on other results to get their place in the knockouts as one of the best second-placed teams.
Mohun Bagan broke the deadlock in the 19th minute as Anirudh Thapa collected a first-time pass on the edge of the box and curled a beautifully-struck shot into the top-right corner.
Diamond Harbour responded emphatically just four minutes later.
A defensive mix-up from Mohun Bagan left Luka Majcen with space in the box, and he capitalised clinically by slotting home past the advancing Vishal Kaith to restore parity.
The match remained evenly poised until the 33rd minute when Bagan regained control. A poor pass from the Diamond Harbour goalkeeper gifted possession to Jamie MacLaren, who pounced instantly with a precise toe-poke finish that restored the Mariners’ lead and sent the home crowd into raptures.
As the referee blew for halftime, Mohun Bagan held a narrow lead at 2–1.
In the second half, it didn’t take long for Bagan to tighten their grip on the contest.
Just minutes after the restart, the Mariners were awarded a penalty when Liston Colaco was brought down inside the box by Naresh Singh Yendrembam following a sharp run.
The foul resulted in the defender receiving a straight red card and Diamond Harbour being reduced to ten men.
Colaco stepped up for the resultant penalty and converted with composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3–1.
The pressure paid off in the 64th minute when a defensive lapse from Diamond Harbour allowed Sahal to pounce on a loose ball inside the box.
With trademark calmness, the midfielder slotted home past the goalkeeper to seal Bagan’s fourth goal of the night.
In the 80th minute Cummings, positioned with acres of space on the edge of the box, was played in perfectly by a well-timed pass.
With composure and precision, Cummings stroked the ball into the net, marking a splendid fifth goal for Mohun Bagan.