Durand Cup 2024: Mohun Bagan Super Giant beats Downtown Heroes FC in opening match

Mariners forward Suhail Bhat broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, which ultimately gave his club a winning start to the campaign.

Mohun Bagan SG’s Suhail Ahmad Bhat after scoring against DHFC in the 133rd edition of Durand Cup. | Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI/ The Hindu

Defending champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeats Downtown Heroes FC in the opening match of Durand Cup 2024 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

Mariners managed to collect the full quota of points by a solitary goal in the group A league match.

Mariners forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat found the target in the final quarter of the action to seal the issue for the Kolkata club. With only the group topper moving into the knock-out stage (quarterfinals), the narrow-win gave Mohun Bagan the advantage at the start.

AS IT HAPPENED | Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Downtown Heroes FC HIGHLIGHTS

With its full squad yet to assemble, Mohun Bagan SG fielded a combination of reserve team players under the charge of its assistant coach Bastab Roy. The young side struggled in the attacking third initially but remained compact in its defence to hold off the offensives of its Srinagar-based opponent.

MBSG got its act together in the final quarter of the action when Suhail Bhat tapped in a nice assist from Asish Rai to secure the win for the holder in the 73rd minute.