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Substitute Lalremsanga Fanai’s second-half brace, coupled with strikes from Md Fardin Ali Molla and Israfil Dewan, guided Mohammedan SC to a comfortable 4-0 victory over debutants Baghpat FC in a Group B clash of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday, July 27, 2026.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network well and streamed live on SonyLIV
Mohammedan SC were looking to begin a new chapter after their relegation to the Indian Football League (IFL), while Baghpat FC arrived full of confidence following their 2025–26 I-League 3 triumph and promotion to I-League 2.
Mohammedan SC fielded an attacking lineup featuring Md Fardin Ali Molla, Lalthankima and Israfil Dewan, while Baghpat FC’s maiden Durand Cup starting XI included Rohit Saibya, Jobin J.B. and Senthamil S.
The contest began at a frantic pace, with both teams struggling for passing accuracy and defensive organisation during the opening ten minutes. Baghpat FC found promising pockets of space early on and should have taken the lead in the fourth minute, but Rohit Saibya squandered a glorious opportunity from close range.
As the game settled, the debutants enjoyed their best spell of the half, controlling possession and asking questions of the Mohammedan defence between the 15th and 30th minutes. Their biggest opportunity arrived in the 25th minute following a slick passing move, but they were unable to apply the finishing touch.
Completely against the run of play, Mohammedan SC broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. A well-worked move down the right involving Lalngaihsaka Lalnuntluanga and Lalthankima carved open the Baghpat defence before Md Fardin Ali Molla arrived to apply the finishing touch and hand the Black and White Brigade the lead.
The goal shifted the momentum decisively. Mohammedan grew in confidence, controlled possession with greater composure, tested the goalkeeper with a couple of long-range efforts and comfortably saw out the remainder of the half with their advantage intact.
The hosts resumed the second half with the same intensity. Within moments of the restart, Israfil Dewan came close to doubling the lead, but Baghpat goalkeeper produced a superb full-stretch save, getting the slightest touch to divert the effort away from goal.
Mohammedan completely dominated the opening fifteen minutes after the interval, taking control of midfield and denying the visitors any opportunity to build sustained attacks. Baghpat attempted to change the course of the game with a double substitution in the 62nd minute, but it was Mohammedan’s changes that proved decisive.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Lalremsanga Fanai, who had replaced goalscorer Fardin, intercepted a loose pass on the right flank before cutting inside and producing a composed left-footed finish to double his side’s advantage.
The relentless pressure finally broke Baghpat’s resistance in the 80th minute when a costly goalkeeping error allowed Israfil Dewan to squeeze a low effort through the goalkeeper’s legs for Mohammedan’s third goal.
Just four minutes later, Mohammedan sealed the victory with a devastating counter-attack. Goalkeeper Shubhadip launched a precise long ball that caught the Baghpat defence completely out of position. Fanai raced clear, rounded the advancing goalkeeper with composure and calmly slotted home his second goal of the evening to make it 4-0.
Although five minutes of stoppage time were added, Mohammedan professionally managed the closing stages and denied the visitors any chance of a late consolation. The Kolkata side finished with 24 attempts on goal compared to Baghpat FC’s 10, completing a dominant performance and a fully deserved 4-0 victory.
Tomorrow’s Matches
TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC (Group D), 5:00 PM, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium
South United FC vs CISF Protectors (Group A), 7:30 PM, Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK)
