Durand Cup 2026: Samaleswari Sporting Thrash Baghpat FC 4-1 to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive
Samaleswari Sporting defeated Baghpat FC 4-1 in the Durand Cup 2026, with Basit Ahmed Bhat scoring twice to secure their first win of the campaign.
Samaleswari Sporting bounced back from their opening defeat in style with a commanding 4-1 victory over Baghpat FC in a Group B clash of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.
After narrowly losing their opening fixture, the Odisha-based club responded with an energetic and clinical performance led by Basit Ahmed Bhat, who scored twice in the second half. Earlier, Marat Tareck and Gnohere Krizo had found the net to hand Samaleswari complete control of the contest. Baghpat FC's only response came through a spectacular strike from Crispin C. Cleetus, but the Durand Cup debutants were ultimately outclassed as they slipped to their second consecutive defeat.
The result gives Samaleswari Sporting their first three points of the tournament and keeps their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage firmly alive.
Both teams adopted an attacking approach from the opening whistle, lining up in traditional 4-4-2 formations and looking to move the ball forward quickly whenever possession changed hands. Samaleswari Sporting paired Marat Tareck alongside Gnohere Krizo in attack, while Baghpat FC relied on Senthamil S. and Piyush Sikarwar to lead their frontline.
The breakthrough came after just ten minutes. A swift counter-attack down the right flank saw Rashid M. break into space before squaring the ball across the penalty area. Krizo's close-range effort was initially denied by goalkeeper Ayan Bhattacharya, but the rebound fell kindly for Marat Tareck, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net to hand Samaleswari an early 1-0 advantage.
The goal reflected the Odisha side's intent to attack at pace and exploit the spaces left by Baghpat's high defensive line.
Despite conceding early, Baghpat FC gradually grew into the contest and found a deserved equaliser midway through the first half. In the 30th minute, Piyush Sikarwar showed excellent awareness by laying the ball into the path of Crispin C. Cleetus just outside the penalty area. Without hesitation, Cleetus unleashed a stunning left-footed strike that flew beyond the outstretched dive of goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya and nestled into the top corner.
The spectacular finish brought Baghpat level at 1-1 and briefly shifted the momentum in their favour. Just as the first half appeared destined to end all square, Samaleswari struck a crucial blow deep into stoppage time.
A long free-kick delivered into the penalty area by Basit Ahmed Bhat caused confusion inside the Baghpat defence. The ball struck Gnohere Krizo on the thigh before looping over goalkeeper Bhattacharya and dropping into the back of the net. While unconventional in execution, the goal proved invaluable, restoring Samaleswari's lead moments before the interval and allowing them to head into the dressing room with renewed confidence.
The second half belonged almost entirely to Samaleswari Sporting. Their midfield dominated possession, forcing Baghpat to spend long periods defending inside their own half. The pressure finally resulted in a third goal in the 56th minute.
Substitute Veer Arjun Joshi delivered an inviting corner into the box, where Basit Ahmed Bhat reacted quickest to guide the ball home and extend Samaleswari's lead to 3-1. Only five minutes later, Basit struck again.
Another well-worked set-piece routine involving Veer Arjun Joshi and fellow substitute Cris Nowang Sherpa created the opportunity. Sherpa's accurate delivery found Basit timing his run perfectly before powering a looping header beyond the goalkeeper.
The quickfire double effectively ended the contest with nearly half an hour still remaining.
Holding a comfortable three-goal cushion, Samaleswari shifted their focus towards controlling possession and limiting Baghpat's attacking opportunities. The Odisha side circulated the ball confidently, frustrating their opponents and preventing them from building any sustained pressure.
Baghpat struggled to create meaningful chances during the closing stages as Samaleswari's defensive organisation ensured goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya was rarely tested. The home side nearly added a fifth goal in the 90th minute when Armand Bazie attempted an ambitious long-range effort. The powerful strike narrowly missed the target, denying Samaleswari an even bigger winning margin.
After comfortably seeing out five minutes of added time, the final whistle confirmed an impressive 4-1 victory for the Odisha-based outfit.
The victory could prove pivotal in Group B. After beginning the tournament with defeat, Samaleswari Sporting have now revived their qualification hopes with a convincing performance that showcased both attacking quality and defensive control.
Basit Ahmed Bhat emerged as the standout performer with two goals and an assist from his set-piece delivery, while Marat Tareck and Gnohere Krizo also played crucial roles in the comprehensive victory.
For Baghpat FC, the defeat marks a disappointing second successive loss in their maiden Durand Cup campaign. Despite moments of promise, particularly through Crispin Cleetus' outstanding equaliser, the newcomers struggled to match Samaleswari's intensity after the break and now face an uphill battle to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
With momentum now on their side, Samaleswari Sporting will head into their remaining Group B fixtures with renewed confidence, knowing another positive result could be enough to propel them into the next round of Asia's oldest football tournament.
Durand Cup 2026: Friday's Fixtures
Shillong Lajong FC vs Nongkseh SS&CC (Group E) – 5:00 PM IST – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
East Bengal FC vs CISF Protectors (Group A) – 7:30 PM IST – Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK)
Comments (0)
to post comments, replies, and votes.
Loading comments…
