Sahal returns to haunt Blasters as Bagan march on | OneFootball

Mohun Bagan Edges Past Kerala Blasters 2-1 in Super Cup Quarterfinal

Mohun Bagan Super Giant advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Super Cup after defeating Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in a tightly contested quarterfinal match at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

Former Kerala Blasters midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad and young forward Suhail Bhat netted for the Mariners, while Sreekuttan M.S. scored a late consolation goal for Kerala.

The match began cautiously with both teams struggling to create meaningful chances in the opening 20 minutes. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when debutant Salahudheen Adnan K displayed impressive footwork to beat Huidrom Naocha Singh on the right flank before finding Sahal inside the six-yard box. The midfielder skillfully evaded R.V. Hormipam before chipping the ball past goalkeeper Sachin Suresh.

Kerala registered their first attempt on target in the 29th minute through Noah Sadaoui, whose left-footed strike from outside the box tested Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh. Minutes later, Mohun Bagan defender Dippendu Biswas made a crucial clearance to deny Noah from close range.

The absence of injured playmaker Adrian Luna significantly hampered Kerala's creativity in midfield. Mohammed Aimen had an opportunity late in the first half but sent his shot over the crossbar.

Mohun Bagan doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half. Ashique Kuruniyan beat Hormipam on the left wing and delivered a precise cross to Suhail Bhat, who timed his run perfectly to guide the ball into the net.

Kerala squandered several opportunities to reduce the deficit. Jesus Jimenez missed three clear chances - first in the 64th minute after receiving a well-weighted pass from Sreekuttan, then three minutes later when he was played through by Vibin Mohanan, and finally in the 85th minute when substitute Kwame Peprah set him up with a perfect pass.

Sreekuttan finally got Kerala on the scoresheet in the fourth minute of stoppage time, finishing clinically after latching onto a defense-splitting pass from Jimenez, but it proved too late to affect the outcome.

Mohun Bagan will now face the winner of the quarterfinal between FC Goa and Punjab FC in Wednesday's semifinal.

Source: The Hindu, SportStar