Durand Cup 2024: Kerala Blasters overwhelms CISF to brighten its quarterfinal chances

Noah Sadaoui scored a hat-trick to figure in the bulk of the Blasters’ strikes while Mohammad Azhar, Naocha Singh, Mohammad Aimen and Kwame Pepra contributed with a goal each.

Kerala Blasters’ Noah Sadaoui scored a hat-trick against CISF protectors in Durand Cup 2024. | Photo Credit: Debasish Bhaduri/ The Hindu

Kerala Blasters overwhelmed paramilitary outfit CISF protectors 7-0 in a Group C match of the 133rd Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, to strengthen its claim for a quarterfinal berth from the group.

Moroccan Noah Sadaoui scored a hat-trick to figure in the bulk of the Blasters’ strikes while Mohammad Azhar, Naocha Singh, Mohammad Aimen and Kwame Pepra contributed with a goal each to complete the huge scoreline.

Blasters finished with seven points (two wins and a draw) and a huge goal difference of 15 which makes it a big task for its challenger Punjab FC (on four points with a goal difference of plus three) to accomplish in its final match against Mumbai FC.

Shillong Lajong FC prevailed over its city rival Rangdajied United FC 2-0 in a keenly contested Group F match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Ronney Willson and Kenstar Kharshong scored one apiece to help Shillong Lajong, an I-League outfit, secure full points and make this its second win in a row.

It tied with ISL side FC Goa on six points but cleared to the top of the current group league position with a better goal average. The two sides meet on August 17 in the final group fixture to decide the quarterfinal berth from the group.

The result:

Group F (Shillong): Shillong Lajong FC 2 (Ronney Wilson 26, Kenstar Kharshong 49) bt Rangdajied United FC 0.

Group C (Kolkata): Kerala Blasters 7 (Peprah 6, Noah 9, 19, 89, Aimen 16, Naocha 25, Azhar 44) bt CISF Protectors 0.