Durand Cup – Faslu Rahman scores as Mohammedan Sporting thrash Jamshedpur FC

Mohammedan Sporting celebrated their second Durand Cup win as they defeated Jamshedpur FC (JFC) 3-0 in Group A at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday.

In Guwahati, Army Green defeated NorthEast United FC 3-1.

Mohammedan Sporting took the lead in the 38th minute of the first half through Faslu Rahman, who scored his second goal of the tournament. The local favorites then added two in three minutes through Abhishek Halder and Sheikh Faiaz.

Both teams started cautiously, trying to gauge each other’s strengths. Mohammedan Sporting’s talismanic striker Trinidadian Marcus Joseph created the first chance from a free-kick that went wide after the half-hour.

Then the goal came after a corner. Faiaz put the ball in and the superb centre-back Siaruat Kima, who deservedly was named Man of the Match for a fantastic game, headed in on goal. Mohit Singh Dhami. The JFC keeper saved it but Faslu was in the right place to head in on the rebound.

In the second half, Mohammedan Sporting brought on Halder in place of Christy Davis and the former brought energy to the attack. At the other end, JFC’s Poojary missed a golden opportunity to equalize in the 66th minute.

Mohammedan Sporting scored the second when Halder snatched the ball from a JFC defender and passed it to Joseph.

They drew 1-2 and Halder’s wonderful volley went into the net. It was soon 3-0. Joseph found Faiaz with a flawless through and the winger made no mistake with a clean finish past Dhami.

Coach careful

East Bengal begin Group B against the Indian Navy at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday and coach Stephen Constantine said the game would provide a preview of the way forward.

“We were the last ones to build our team and train for maybe two weeks. There will be teething problems because not the entire squad has been able to train together. But that doesn’t mean we won’t fight for our place. We’ll give everything,” said Constantine on Sunday. “Everyone wants to see East Bengal at the top but we have to work hard for that,” he added.

Brazilian recruits Eliandro and Cleton Silva arrived on Sunday.

⚫ Today’s games: TRAU FC v Hyderabad FC (3pm); East Bengal vs Indian Navy (6pm). Live on Sports18 1.