Samaleswari Sporting Upsets Mohammedan SC in Five-Goal Durand Cup Thriller
Tournament debutants Samaleswari Sporting secured a stunning 3-2 victory over two-time champions Mohammedan SC at Salt Lake Stadium. The win propels the Sambalpur-based club to the top of Group B as they conclude their group stage campaign.
Key takeaways
- Samaleswari Sporting defeated Mohammedan SC 3-2 to move to the top of Group B in the 135th Durand Cup.
- Veer Arjun Joshi scored the winning goal via an 81st-minute free-kick after Mohammedan SC erased a two-goal deficit.
- Mohammedan SC finished the match with ten men after Adison Singh was sent off in stoppage time.
- Group B qualification remains undecided as the Indian Army team has two games remaining and three points already secured.
Underdogs Secure Historic Win at Salt Lake Stadium
In a significant shift for Group B of the 135th Durand Cup, Samaleswari Sporting delivered a masterclass in resilience by toppling Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-2 on Sunday. The debutants from Sambalpur dismantled the favorites early in the match, establishing a commanding two-goal cushion before the interval. Basit Ahmed Bhat opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by a clinical strike from Russian forward Marat Tareck in the 27th minute.
Mid-Match Surges and Tactical Shifts
Mohammedan SC, seeking to uphold their reputation as two-time winners, mounted a fierce second-half comeback. The momentum swung briefly in their favor as Lalthankima found the net in the 60th minute, followed six minutes later by Lalngaihsaka, who equalized the match at 2-2. The final stages were marked by high intensity and disciplinary issues; Mohammedan substitute Adison Singh received a red card during injury time, leaving the Kolkata giants short-handed.
Deadlock Broken by Set-Piece Brilliance
Despite the pressure from the veteran side, Samaleswari refused to settle for a draw. In the 81st minute, Veer Arjun Joshi converted a precise free-kick that evaded the defense to reclaim the lead. This goal proved decisive, securing three points and placing Samaleswari at the summit of the group standings with six points from their three completed matches.
- Samaleswari Sporting: 3 (Basit Bhat 11', Marat Tareck 27', Veer Arjun Joshi 81')
- Mohammedan SC: 2 (Lalthankima 60', Lalngaihsaka 66')
- Standings Impact: Samaleswari sits first with six points; Mohammedan remains second with three points and one match remaining.
The qualification path for Group B remains unresolved. While Samaleswari has finished their fixtures, the Indian Army team also holds three points and has two matches left to play, including their victory over Samaleswari in the tournament opener.
Source: The Hindu — Sport
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