Mohun Bagan Super Giant produced a dominant performance to storm into the quarter-finals of the 135th Durand Cup with a 6-0 victory over CISF Protectors at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Monday.

The Mariners completed a perfect Group A campaign with three wins from three matches, finishing top of the group with maximum points. Sahal Abdul Samad was the star of the evening, scoring a brilliant first-half hat-trick, while Manvir Singh, Jamie Maclaren and Tekcham Abhishek Singh also got on the scoresheet.

Mohun Bagan started on the front foot, but the CISF defence initially managed to withstand the pressure. Their resistance ended in the 17th minute when Dejan Drazic released Tekcham Abhishek Singh with a superb pass. His effort took a deflection before Liston Colaco squared the ball for Sahal, who made no mistake from close range.

Sahal doubled the advantage just two minutes later. Manvir Singh found Drazic on the right with a precise pass, and the Serbian midfielder delivered a low ball across the face of goal for Sahal to tap home.

Manvir then added a third in the 24th minute. Tekcham Abhishek Singh’s inviting cross found the forward, who controlled the ball brilliantly before finishing confidently.

Sahal completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion seven minutes before half-time. Collecting the ball near the halfway line, he drove forward, skipped past the CISF defenders and calmly placed his right-footed effort beyond the goalkeeper.

Mohun Bagan went into the break 4-0 ahead, having enjoyed 75 per cent possession and completely dominated proceedings.

Panagiotis Dilimperis made four changes at half-time, but the Mariners continued to create chances. Manvir came close on several occasions, while Liston Colaco also saw an effort blocked.

The fifth goal arrived in the 68th minute, with Sahal once again at the heart of the move. His superb no-look through ball released substitute Jamie Maclaren, who calmly finished through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Mohun Bagan completed the rout five minutes later. Liston combined with Tekcham Abhishek Singh, who timed his run perfectly before firing into the roof of the net to make it 6-0.

CISF Protectors pushed for a consolation goal late on, but Syed Zahid Hussain made a couple of important saves to preserve Mohun Bagan’s clean sheet.

The result confirms Mohun Bagan Super Giant as Group A winners and sends them into the Durand Cup quarter-finals in emphatic fashion. CISF Protectors, meanwhile, end their campaign without a point after three defeats.