GOA: Cornell Glenn’s first half brace after an early goal by Jeje goal ensured that Mohun Bagan tore apart Salgaocar FC, at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco yesterday. Although Darryl Duffy added one in the 71st minute, it couldn't thwart the Mariners from doing a double over the Greens. The win takes Mohun Bagan 4 points clear of Kingfisher East Bengal and 6 points above Bengaluru FC, who face the Aizawl challenge today.
Mohun Bagan made four changes to their side from their 5-2 rampage against Maziya Sports & Recreation Club, as Kinshuk Debnath, Debjit Majumder, Sanjay Balmuchu and Brandon Fernandes coming into the first eleven.
The Mariners nearly took the lead in the second minute, as Jeje through ball to Cornell Glenn brushed the outside of the far post from a left-footed drive at goal at the edge of the box.
Bagan dominated early proceedings and scored their first goal in the 13th minute through Jeje Lalpekhlua. The counter attack move was initiated by Sony Norde who fed Lenny Rodriguez and the medio’s shot was palmed across by Karanjit which reached Jeje, who made no mistake to net his third goal in the current Hero I-League season.
Santosh Kashyap introduced Jackichand Singh early in the first half, but his move did not pay any benefits and Bagan doubled their lead in the 30th minute through Cornell Glenn. The forward made it 2-0 after Yusa Katsumi’s strike from the edge of the box was deflected off by Eder Monteiro and it reached Glenn who wasn’t going to miss from there.
Salgaocar’s attempts to get back into the game failed at every attempt because of the spectacular defensive work by the away team and also poor passing in the final third by the hosts.
Just before the stroke of half-time, Cornell Glenn took a shot at goal which ended up at the back of the net after a howler from skipper Karanjit Singh.
The scoreline read 3-0 to Mohun Bagan at half-time and Salgaocar was staring down the barrel already.
Darryl Duffy pulled one back for Salgaocar FC in the 71st minute, after he headed home a Jackichand Singh corner.
However, the hopes of a comeback went away for Salgaocar FC as a moment of madness by Gilbert Oliviera saw him receive the second yellow card of the game after an altercation with Bikramjit Singh.
Mohun Bagan gaffer introduced Prabir Das towards the end of the game to give Dhanachandra Singh a bit of respite before their Sporting Clube de Goa game on Tuesday.
Mohun Bagan saw out the remainder of the game to solidify their stance at the top of the table and pile further misery on Salgaocar FC.
