Kolkata, July 28: Mohammedan SC made a winning start to their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory over tournament debutants Baghpat FC in a Group B encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday.
Substitute Lalremsanga Fanai starred with a second-half brace, while Md Fardin Ali Molla and Israfil Dewan also found the net as the Black and White Brigade secured all three points in convincing fashion.
Mohammedan entered the tournament looking to bounce back after relegation to the Indian Football League (IFL), while Baghpat FC arrived on the back of a successful 2025-26 I-League 3 campaign that earned them promotion to I-League 2.
Despite the final scoreline, it was the visitors who looked brighter in the opening exchanges. Baghpat created the first clear opportunity in the fourth minute, but Rohit Saibya failed to convert from close range.
The debutants continued to enjoy spells of possession and threatened the Mohammedan defence, coming close again in the 25th minute after a well-worked move, only to be denied by poor finishing.
Against the run of play, Mohammedan broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. A neat move down the right involving Lalngaihsaka Lalnuntluanga and Lalthankima opened up the defence before Md Fardin Ali Molla finished from close range to put the Kolkata side ahead.
The goal shifted the momentum in Mohammedan’s favour as they began controlling possession and created more chances before taking their one-goal advantage into the break.
The hosts resumed the second half with greater urgency and nearly doubled their lead moments after the restart, but Baghpat’s goalkeeper produced an excellent save to deny Israfil Dewan.
Mohammedan continued to dominate proceedings and their pressure paid off in the 73rd minute. Substitute Lalremsanga Fanai intercepted a loose pass on the right, cut inside and calmly slotted home with his left foot to make it 2-0.
Seven minutes later, Israfil Dewan capitalised on a costly goalkeeping error, squeezing a low effort through the goalkeeper’s legs to extend Mohammedan’s lead.
Fanai completed his brace in the 84th minute following a swift counter-attack. Goalkeeper Shubhadip launched a long ball that caught the Baghpat defence out of position, allowing Fanai to race through, round the goalkeeper and finish confidently to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
Mohammedan comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete an impressive opening performance. The Kolkata side finished with 24 attempts on goal compared to Baghpat FC’s 10, underlining their dominance throughout the contest.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup are being broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV.
