Pune : Haitian winger Sony Norde struck on either side of the break as defending champions Mohun Bagan cruised to a 2-0 victory over 10-man DSK Shivajians in a fourth round encounter here.
Norde struck in the 12th and 55th minute as the green and maroon brigade maintained their second position in the league table with 10 points from four games. Bengaluru FC are on top with 12 points from five matches.
The win will also boost the confidence of Sanjoy Sen’s boys as they stand on the cusp of history after becoming the first Indian football club to play a Stage II qualifying round match of the AFC Champions League against Chinese Club Shandong Luneng FC in Chinese city of Jinan on February 2. The Mariners drew first blood in the 12th minute when Katsumi Yusa’s low corner was flicked by Raju Gaekwad towards Norde, who showed his poaching skills by slotting past veteran goalkeeper Subrata Paul to give his team the lead.