Kolkata, July 13: Mohun Bagan Super Giant kicked off their Calcutta Football League 2026 campaign in style with a dominant 4-0 victory over Patha Chakra at the Mohun Bagan Ground on Monday evening. The Mariners took the lead in the first half, and after the break scorer three more goals, including new signing Sayan Banerjee marked his debut with a goal, while youth team graduate Bivan Jyoti, the super-sub found the back of the net to cap an impressive outing.

Early in the 9th minute, Patha Chakra created a goal-bound move. From the right, Souvik Adhikary entered the box, cut past his markers, and attempted a shot, which Mohun Bagan SG goalkeeper Zahid saved by closing the angle, though Souvik could have taken the shot earlier.

In the 19th minute, Mohun Bagan SG missed an opportunity. Robilal Mandi sent a grounded cross to the right side of the box, which a well-positioned Kiyan Nassiri attempted, but his effort hit the side netting. However, within three minutes, they got the breakthrough. Sayan Banerjee, from the left inside the box, placed a grounded ball close to the goal line, which Kiyan Nassiri tapped into the net.

In the 36th minute, Patha Chakra were forced into a change as Sourav Das got injured and was replaced by Souvik Dey. Within three minutes, Mohun Bagan SG got another goal-bound chance, but Sayan Banerjee’s individual brilliance and curling shot were saved by Arnob.

At the start of the second half, Patha Chakra got another opportunity, but Mohun Bagan SG’s new signing, left-back Robilal Mandi, made a crucial goal-line clearance. In the 65th minute, Mohun Bagan SG doubled their lead. Rohit Singh passed the ball towards the second post from the right inside the box, which Suhail Bhat placed into the open net as the goalkeeper was out of position.

The game moved towards its end, but the Mariners delivered two more stunners before the final whistle. The Sayan–Bivan duo combined for both. In the 90+3rd minute, Bivan Jyoti sent a cross from the right inside the box, which Sayan put into the net. In the final minute of added time, Sayan Banerjee chipped the ball from the left inside the box, which Bivan Jyoti capitalised on. He made a right-footed cut before launching a left-footed shot into the net.

Sayan Banerjee celebrating his goal with mohun Bagan team mates

One of the most talked transfer, the new signing from arch-rivals East Bengal FC, Sayan Banerjee joined Mohun Bagan SG this season and made an immediate impact in his new colours, proving that only the colours had changed, nothing else. With two assists, one goal, and several chances created, the Man of the Match played a crucial role in the Mariners’ CFL 2026 opener.

The Mariners, with a blend of youth and experienced players in a new-look team, announced themselves in dominant style in the opening game of their CFL 2026 campaign. Though head coach Bastob Roy was happy with the performance, the clean sheet, and all the scorers, he believes this is only the start, the team still needs a lot of improvement, and the main target is to move into the final rounds step by step.