Kashmir teenage striker Suhail Bhat scored the lone goal for Mohun Bagan Super Giant as they overcame a gritty Downtown Heroes FC in the 2024 Durand Cup opener on Saturday at Vivekananda Yuba Bharti Krirangan in Kolkata.
The 73rd-minute strike was also 19-year-old Suhail’s first senior goal for the defending champions and was named player of the match. The Sports Council Football Academy product joined Mohun Bagan B in 2023 from Indian Arrows and scored 17 goals in 16 games, earning a senior call up.
On Saturday, the Heroes dominated the first half of the game and the coach Hilal Parray-led team will rue their missed chances. Despite the defeat, the overall performance would give hope to Downtown that they can compete with the big dogs of Indian football.
Downtown Heroes will play their next Group A game against Indian Air Force FT on Saturday, August 2. The game kicks off at 7:00 PM. They then play their final group game when they take on East Bengal on August 7.
