Mumbai City storm into quarterfinals in maiden Durand Cup appearance
Former Indian Super League champions Mumbai City FC thrashed Rajasthan United 5-1 to seal a quarterfinal berth in the Durand Cup football tournament .
Showing a lot of urgency, the Des Buckingham’s side raced to a 3-0 lead within 36 minutes, with goals from Greg Stewart (10th minute), Lallianzuala Chhangte (18th) and Mehtab Singh to take it beyond the reach of the I-League outfit.
Ahmed Jahouh (63rd) and substitute Vikram Pratap Singh (90+2) combined to ensure Mumbai City’s knockout qualification in their maiden appearance in Asia’s oldest football tournament. Gyanmar Nikum (67th) scored the lone consolation goal for the Rajasthan side who looked a far cry from the spirited team that shocked ATK Mohun Bagan 3-2 and played out a goalless draw against East Bengal.
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A – @MumbaiCityFC helps them qualify for the quarter-finals as the first team from Group B! 🙌#MCFC 5-1 #RUFC#MCFCRUFC ⚔️#KBK 🏟️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NAXPFl2ajZ
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 29, 2022
The Islanders now have seven points from three matches to go up the table with one match in hand. ATKMB and Rajasthan United, who both have four points from three matches, will now fight for the second quarterfinal spot from group B.
Both the teams take on Indian Navy in their concluding group league matches on August 31 and September 5 respectively. Rajasthan United, who are ahead of ATK Mohun Bagan on head to head, will have the edge taking on the minnows Indian Navy on the last day of league round.
Odisha FC beat Sudeva Delhi, make last eight
Spaniard Saul Crespo struck a brace as Odisha FC blanked Sudeva Delhi FC 3-0 with all first-half goals to storm into the Durand Cup quarterfinals here on Monday.
Crespo struck the opener in the 19th minute when he rose to meet a Sahil Panwar corner. In the 39th minute, Raynier Fernandes assed Crespo in bringing up his second goal.
Moments from the Second Half! 🖼️#OFCSDFC ⚔️#IGAS 🏟️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆#131stIndianOilDurandCup 🏆#IndianFootballForwardTogether 🤝#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ufNEP4PCYN
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 29, 2022
A minute later, Jerry Mawihmingthanga struck from a rebound as Odisha virtually killed the contest in the first half.
This was Odisha’s third successive win in the tournament.
