Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC registered thumping victories in their respective group leg matches in the 131st edition of the Durand Cup on Monday.
Former Indian Super League champion Mumbai City FC played true to its form to down the I-League side Rajasthan United FC 5-1 at Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata, while Odisha FC routed Sudeva Delhi FC 3-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
With the win, Mumbai City FC booked a spot in the quarterfinal of the Durand Cup 2022.
Greg Stewart opened the scoring process for the Islanders early in the 10th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte doubled the lead in the 188th minute. Mehtab Singh found the third in the 35th minute as Ahmed Jahouh (penalty) and Vikram Pratap Singh added one each after the break to complete the scoring process for Mumbai City. Gyanmar Nikum scored the lone reply for Rajasthan United.
The win took Mumbai City to the top of the group league table with seven points from three matches and brought it close to realising a quarterfinal berth. ATK Mohun Bagan (four points from three matches), Rajasthan United (four from three), East Bengal (two from three) and Indian Navy (one from three) occupied the next positions in the current standings. The top two teams from each group progress to the knock-out stage (quarterfinals).
Crespo scores brace
Meanwhile, Saul Crespo’s brace and Jerry Mawthmingthanga’s first-half goal were enough for Odisha FC to register a convincing 3-0 win over Sudeva Delhi FC in a Group D match.
Crespo struck in the 19th and 39th minutes and Mawthmingthanga in the 40th minute to fashion Odisha’s third successive victory. It earned Odisha a place in the quarterfinals.
Odisha dominated the first half and netted all the goals before half-time.
Lanky Spaniard Crespo, posted unmarked at the first post, spectacularly headed in a corner from the right to put Odisha ahead.
Odisha kept pressing for the second goal and got it 20 minutes later when Crespo achieved his brace. This time Crespo bent low to head in a cross from the left.
In no time, Odisha scored its third goal as Jerry completed a fine move by slotting in a rebound.
Sudeva put up a better display in the second half but could not taste success.
The Odisha forwards created some good opportunities but could not extend the lead.
Results:
Group B: Mumbai City FC 5 (Greg Stewart 10, Lallianzuala Chhangte 18, Mehtab Singh 36, Ahmed Jahouh 63-pen, Vikram Pratap Singh 90+2) bt Rajasthan United FC 1 (Gyanmar Nikum 67),
Group D: Odisha FC 3 (Crespo 19, 39, Jerry 40) bt Sudeva Delhi 0.
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