Defending champs Mohun Bagan see off DSK Shivajians

Defending Champions Mohun Bagan began their title defence with a dominating 4-0 win over DSK Shivajians in the Hero Federation Cup at the Barabati Stadium here.

A Balwant Singh brace (24th min, 71st) and a goal by Darryl Duffy header (65th) and Jeje (90+ 2nd) proved enough for Sanjoy Sen’s men to start their Hero Federation Cup campaign with a win. The Mariners thus topped Group A, despite being level on points with JSW Bengaluru FC (3 points each), but edging them in goal difference.

It was a cautious beginning to the match by both the teams. Chances in the opening minutes were rare but overall Mohun Bagan dominated possession.

JSW Bengaluru FC defeated Shillong Lajong 3-2 in a tight encounter to make a flying start to their campaign at the Federation Cup.

Strikes by Udanta Singh (35th minute), Eugeneson Lyngdoh (46th) and an own goal by skipper Aibrolang Khongjee proved enough for the Blues to register their first win.

Yuta Kinowaki and Samuel Lalmuanpuia had found the net in the 72nd minute and 84th minute respectively for Lajong at the Barabati Stadium. Dipanda Dicka had missed a penalty for Lajong in the 71st minute.

Bengaluru FC had a nervy start to their tournament opener as opponents Shillong Lajong attacked from the word go and Dipanda Dicka’s shot in the first minute itself came close to stealing the lead.

The Blues, however, recouped from the nervous opening and Sandesh Jhingan’s 2nd-minute header which rattled the bar gave a testament of Bengaluru FC’s attacking intent.

Anthony Amalraj entered the men’s singles final of an ITTF event for the second successive week, only to lose in the title clash of the Brazil Open.

He went down 12-14, 9-11,7-11, 7-11, 5-11 to Brazlian Caldrano Hugo. Amalraj had lost to compatriot Soumyajit Ghosh in the Chile Open final but had managed to win the doubles title.