Durand Cup 2022: ATK Mohun Bagan loses 2-3 to Rajasthan United, Army Red holds Chennaiyin to a draw

Both Indian Super League side, ATK Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin FC conceded two goals each on Matchday 5, with ATKMB losing the match, following a last minute goal.

Gyanmar Nikum of Rajasthan United scored the winning goal in the last minute of the Durand Cup match against ATK Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup Media

I-League side Rajasthan United FC created the first major upset of the 131st edition of the Durand Cup, downing Indian Super League giant ATK Mohun Bagan 3-2 in its first Group B league outing, at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.

ATK Mohun Bagan went into the lead late in the opening session off a goal from Kiyan Nassiri which was soon cancelled out by Rajasthan United’s Kyrgyzstan midfielder Bektur Amangeldiev.

ATK Bagan regained the lead immediately after the break off its debutant forward Ashique Kuruniyan but Rajasthan United levelled the score again off F. Lalremsanga,at the hour mark. ATK Bagan paid for its profligacy of missing at least five clear chances in the final 20 minutes as Rajasthan United turned the tables on it in the injury-time with substitute Gyamar Nikum finding the winner.

It was a shocking start to the season for ATK Mohun Bagan, which fielded its full roster of costly acquisitions just to lose against a side formed out of a fraction of its budget.

The fancied home side created chances at will with its play-makers like Frenchman Hugo Boumous and Finland’s Joni Kauko opening up the Rajasthan defence on numerous occasions.

But the indecisiveness of its attackers like Kiyan, Manvir Singh and Asish Rai, who together missed at least six sitters, proved to be ATK Bagan's undoing in the end. Preferring to attack on the break Rajasthan United showed a better accuracy in converting chances to accomplish a great win in the end.

Army Red steals a point against Chennaiyin FC in a high-scoring game

Four second half goals, including two in injury time, resulted in an exciting contest as Army Red drew Chennaiyin FC 2-2 in a Group C match of the Durand Cup football tournament at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Saturday.

Lethaolen Khongsai (extreme left) celebrates the first goal by Army Red against Chennaiyin FC in the Durand Cup fixture. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup Media

Lethaolen Khongsai gave Army the lead in the 54th minute. Chennaiyin swung the match in its favour towards the end by striking twice through Julius Duker and Edwin Vanspaul. But Liton Shil managed an equalizer to deny the Indian Super League (ISL) outfit – which fielded a strong side comprising its foreign recruits (including Croatian Bundesliga man Petar Sliskovic) – a winning start.

After a goalless first period, Army showed some urgency with Liton asking questions to the Chennaiyin defence guarded by Senegalese Fallou Diagne, Narayan Das and Duker.

Khongsai’s low header off a flat and fast corner kick from the right beat Chennaiyin ‘keeper Debjit Majumder on the left to put the red brigade ahead.

A composed Chennaiyin got the result of its perseverance when Duker jumped to head in the equalizer in the 89th minute.

Chennaiyin scored again within five minutes. A corner was cleared by the Army defence but Edwin unleashed a stunning shot from about 20 yards to make it 2-1 for the southern team.

The Army men held their nerves to draw parity as Liton took advantage of Chennaiyin’s slack defence to tap in a corner in the dying moments.

Match Results

Group C: Chennaiyin FC 2 (Duker 89, Edwin 90+4) drew with Army Red 2 (Khongsai 54, Liton 90+6).

Group B: ATK Mohun Bagan 2 (Kiyan Nassiri 43, Ashique Kuruniyan 46) lost to Rajasthan United FC 3 (Bektur Amangeldiev 45+1, F. Lalremsanga 60, Gyamar Nikum 45+3)