On the eve of the Super Cup quarter-final against Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan head coach Bastab Roy and captain Deepak Tangri made it clear in the press conference — this tournament is an opportunity for players who didn’t get many chances during the recently concluded ISL season to showcase their ability. And on Monday, it was evident on the field how determined every footballer was to prove their mettle.
Players like Abhishek Suryavanshi, Deepak Tangri, and Sahal Abdul Samad — who weren’t regular starters under former coach Jose Molina — showed that they too can be potent forces whenever needed.
But if there were three names that truly stole the show, then they were the Keralite trio-Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, and the young prospect Salahudheen Adnan.
This match held particular significance for these three Keralites, each at different stages of their careers, but with similar stakes — to prove a point. For Sahal and Ashique, it was about redemption after injury-marred seasons and the criticism they faced for their fitness issues. And yesterday, they responded in style, returning stronger than ever and leaving a strong statement on the pitch.
When Sahal latched onto Salahudheen Adnan’s perfectly measured cross from the right, turned past the defender, and lofted the ball over the goalkeeper to find the back of the net, it was a pure moment of class. Meanwhile, Ashique was a constant menace down the right flank, using his sheer pace to relentlessly tear into the Kerala Blasters’ defence.
“It’s an amazing feeling. We aim to win every game, and we are happy to have won this one,” said Sahal, who scored his first goal at this venue.
“In Mohun Bagan, to be honest, we always step onto the pitch with a winning mentality. Right from the beginning of the season, we think about winning trophies. We might lose sometimes, but our mentality will never change,” added Ashique.
“We will give our all in the next game. Winning or losing isn’t always in our hands, but giving our best effort certainly is,” Ashique emphasized.
While Sahal and Ashique, already proven stars, showcased their quality, it was also a breakout day for another Keralite — Salahudheen Adnan. The talented youngster repaid the faith Mohun Bagan management showed when they signed him from Muthoot FA after his exploits in last season’s RFDL.
Nicknamed “Salah” within the squad — drawing a playful parallel with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah due to their similar playing positions — the youngster put in a sparkling performance. On multiple occasions, he made a mockery of defenders, dribbling past markers and charging into the box with flair — a quintessential touch of Kerala’s footballing artistry.
If nurtured properly, Salahudheen could become another exciting name to watch for Mohun Bagan in the coming years. His growth will surely be boosted by the dressing room atmosphere, where senior players have been incredibly supportive.
“Top performance! We’ll always back him. I’m really happy for him. He needs to keep going — no pressure on him,” said Sahal, acknowledging Salahudheen ’s impressive showing.
“All the coaching staff and senior players like Sahal, Ashique, and even Nuno (Reis) keep giving me confidence, and I think that’s really important,” Salahudheen said after the match, thanking his seniors for their constant encouragement.
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