Durand Cup 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Mohun Bagan beat Punjab FC 2-0 in Kolkata Derby dress rehearsal

MOHUN BAGAN CONTINUED their winning run in the Durand Cup, with a 2-0 win over Punjab FC.

The Mariners, who fielded mostly their development team in the previous match where they beat Bangladesh Army 5-0, put up a stronger side against the newly promoted ISL club. This has been seen by many fans as the club getting some their main players some game time before Saturday's Kolkata Derby.

Subhashish Bose wore the captain's armband, and Vishal Kaith was at goal. First team players like Manvir Singh, Anwar Ali and Liston Colaco featured prominently and there were three foreign players - Brendan Hamill, Hugo Boumous and Glan Martins - also started the game.

The match remained competitive throughout, although Bagan were creating the better chances. In the end, though, Punjab FC's defensive mistakes defined the game.

Near the half hour mark, Manvir Singh's cross from the right was mistakenly played into the Punjab FC net by Melroy, giving Mohun Bagan the lead.

Early in the second half, the Punjab keeper spilled the ball when trying to collect a cross from the left and it went straight to Hugo Boumous who obliged by making the most of the opportunity.

Neither goal was the cleanest, but it served the Mariners' purpose nonetheless. Punjab went all out to get back in the game, with Luka Majcen creating the best chances. He even hit the post with one shot, and forced Vishal Kaith to make some lightning-fast saves. Ultimately, though, they were unable to find the breakthrough.

With 6 points from 2 matches, Mohun Bagan are at the top of the table. Their next match will be against arch rivals East Bengal, who got off the mark with a draw in Durand Cup this season.

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