MBSG 2 - 0 PFC Highlights, Durand Cup 2023: Melroy own goal, Boumous strike take Mohun Bagan top of Group A

Mohun Bagan with a comfortable win over Punjab FC to go top of Group A. Wasn’t the most fluent of displays, mainly due to the conditions following the rain, but MBSG does its job ahead of the much awaited Kolkata derby against East Bengal on Saturday.

A Melroy Assisi own goal after a Manvir cross opened the scoring for the Mariners and a an easy finish for Boumous in the second half following a mistake by the keeper confirms the 3 points for Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Punjab FC did well in patches, Brandon in particular finding some space but Juan Mera’s strike against the crossbar was its only real chance. Punjab faces Bangladesh Army next at the VYBK on Thursday.

Juan Mera is down in the box after a tackle from the defender, following some brilliant one-two play with Ricky. The referee says no.

Four minutes of stoppage time added at the end of the second half.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant content on passing it around three minutes before the end of normal time. Lyngdoh with a chance to cross for Punjab but hits it to the side netting.

A slight push from the back by the Punjab FC defender on Kiyan Nassiri, the referee says no to the penalty appeals. Kiyan is unhappy, signals to the referee that he was taken down.

A chance for Anwar Ali following a Petratos corner. But no real power on the header and the keeper completes an easy catch.

A chance for Maheson at the edge of the box. Shuffles the ball either side to create some space but the shot is deflected for a corner. The corner is too long and MBSG clear.

Captain Subhashish Bose is replaced by Sumit Rathi for the Mariners.

Lyngdoh attempts a long ranger from the right, almost near the half line. No trouble for Kaith at all. Good idea from the youngster but nowhere near the execution required.

Another chance for Ranjeet after an excellent through ball from the midfield. Only manages to hit the side netting. Hamill found wanting there in the MBSG defence.

Ranjeet was almost through on goal, Anwar Ali with an excellent tackle. Referee’s flag up for offside though.

Samuel James Lyngdoh and Ranjeet Pandre replaces Majcen and Brandon for Punjab FC.

Hnamte replaces Glan Martins for the Mariners. Fresh legs in the middle of the pitch.

Important interception from Nikhil Prabhu after Liston tried to cut back into the box from the left flank. Needed a more pinpoint pass to find his teammate in the box.

Juan Mera with some quick feet to create space near the box and put a cross in. Doesn’t reach Majcen though and the defence clears.

Kiyan Nassiri replaces Hugo Boumous for MBSG. Maheson replaces Krishnanandha and Ricky replaces Amarjit Singh Kiyam for Punjab FC.

Punjab slowly growing into the game this half. Brandon has been key for the team. Krishnanandha has had a few crossing opportunities which has gone waste.

Kaith with an important save!! The cross to Majcen is chested down and he does well to find some space and shoot. Kaith does well to go down and save from such close range.

Poor cross from Krishnanandha after Brandon’s pass found him in space. Majcen was in wait at the far post and it flies over his head.

Liston with another crossing opportunity from the left. Went for a short cross to the near post but it is safely gathered by the keeper.

A chance immediately for Punjab and Juan Mera strikes the post with a thunderous strike! Replays suggest Kaith might have got a fingertip on it. Punjab almost striking back immediately.

Boumous scores for MBSG! Excellent one-two from Liston and Petratos to create the crossing opportunity for the former. The keeper makes a mess of it and it falls straight to Boumous who scores one of his easiest goals.

MBSG 2 - 0 PFC

Early chance for Punjab as Brandon finds space in the box. His shot is too high though. Possibly the best chance Punjab has had all match.

Juan Mera replaces Leon Augustine for Punjab FC. Petratos replaces Suhail Bhat for Mohun Bagan Super Giant. MBSG kick us off.

A very sedate first half at the KBK. Both the sides unable to muster even a single shot on target. An unfortunate own goal from Melroy following Manvir’s cross is the difference between the two sides. Punjab made some headway down the wings but no real opportunities created for its strikers. Join us in 15.

A chance late in the half for Punjab, Krishnanandha crosses the ball in from the left after an excellent run, the MBSG defence clears.

2 minutes of added time at the end of the half.

Boumous’ corner is headed out by the Punjab defence. Falls right to Glan Martins, whose shot from long range flies just over the bar.

Boumous with the ball on the MBSG left wing but Lhungdim does well to prevent him from going forward further. Boumous drifting outwards showing that the Punjab team has been able to restrict space for him in the middle of the pitch.

Leon does well to dribble past two MBSG players in the Punjab right wing, the ball is eventually taken off his feet though. He has been Punjab’s best player this half.

Despite the goal, Punjab has done well keeping it tight at the back. MBSG has been forced into longer and tougher balls through to its strikers. Still some work to do in the front of the field though . No clear cut chances as yet.

Krishnanandha finds space in the left wing for Punjab but his cross is wayward and is out for a Mohun Bagan goal kick.

Colaco with a free kick from the left wing. Manvir almost pokes it towards goal, but Melroy clears.

MBSG scores!! Manvir used his strength to get to the byline and put a cross in from the right, the Punjab FC defender Melroy slips while trying to clear and puts it in his own net. Suhair was lurking right behind him as well.

MBSG 1 - 0 PFC

A freekick for Punjab from the right flank. Brandon crosses it into a crowded box but the MBSG defence clear their lines.

First chance of the game from MBSG after a cross from the right flank by Manvir, the defender and keeper almost came together, trying to deal with the cross but they manage to get it away. Martins’ follow up shot is blocked by the defence.

An ugly challenge from Subhashish on Leon, the referee shows the game’s first yellow card. Unnecessary challenge that by the Mohun Bagan skipper.

Colaco drives through the left-wing and crosses in, the defender kicks it out without much control. Suhail’s shot following the corner is too high.

Subhashish loses his shoe trying to guard the ball for a throw-in at the left flank. He slips and falls in the process signalling the wet conditions due to the rain.

Abhishek Suryawanshi attempts a long ranger from outside the box, keeps rising high and no trouble for the Punjab keeper.

A long ball from Boumous looking for a run from the left wing, Punjab keeper Kiran keeps his calm and takes it in his stride just ahead of Manvir.

Mohun Bagan with control of posession in the early minutes. Punjab has pressed well forcing the opposition to stick to sideward and backward passes.

Colaco with a determined run through the middle but the ball gets stuck under his feet. The ground conditions not really supporting such dribbles.

MBSG with an early attack down the left wing. Punjab FC back in numbers and the attack is thwarted.

Punjab to get things underway. Mohun Bagan in its full white strip. Punjab FC sporting its orange kit.

The players and match officials are out in the middle. Quite a few umbrellas in the crowd today. The heavy rain might be a factor in the conditions of play today.

Credit - Mohun Bagan Super Giant Twitter

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will take on Punjab FC in its second game of the group A match of the Durand Cup here at Kishore Bharati Stadium on Monday.

While Mohun Bagan began its campaign with a 5-0 win over Bangladesh Army Football team, Punjab will play its first game.

There are enough names in the 26-member Punjab squad headed by Greek coach Staikos Vergetis who can ruffle the feathers of The Mariners, who in turn were not quite challenged in their first game against BAFT.

Upfront, Punjab has a goal machine in Luka Majcen, the Slovenian poacher who has found the next 50 timed in his four-seasons in India stint across clubs so far. Other names like Leon Augustine, Amarjit Kiyam and Nepalese Kiran Limbu have been proven performers as well.

Read full preview here: Punjab FC hopes to upset ISL winner Mohun Bagan in opener

Mohun Bagan Super Giant: Vishal Kaith (GK), Anwar Ali, Brendan Hamill, Hugo Boumous, Manvir Singh, Subashish Bose (C), Abhishek Suryawanshi, Liston Colaco, Glan Martins, Suhail Bhat, Ravi Bahadur Rana

Punjab FC: Kiran Kumar Limbu (GK), Nikhil Prabhu, Krishnananda Singh, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Ashis Pradhan, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Leon Augustine, Melroy Assisi, Mohammed Salah, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Luka Majcen (C)

• The Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Punjab FC Durand Cup 2023 match can be watched live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD.
• The match can also be live-streamed on the Sony LIV app and website.

The Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Punjab FC Durand Cup 2023 match will kick-off at 6 PM on Monday, August 7 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Stay Tuned for live updates from the 2023 Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and Punjab FC from the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.