KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan were held 3-3 at home by a defiant DSK Shivajians creating a major dent in their hopes for the consecutive second Hero I-League title.
The home side scored through Cornell Glen (26’, 45’) and Sony Norde (41’) as Juan Quero Barraso scored two within four minutes (30’, 34) in the first half and Asier Dipanda added the last (75’) to lift his tally to seven goals in his first Hero I-League season.
Mariners coach Sanjoy Sen made his comeback onto the touchline after serving out his four-game ban. Following the 2-2 draw at Lajong, there were three changes ushered in. Prabir Das and Sanjay Balmuchu featured in a defense rejig at the expenses of Pritam Kotal and Kinshuk Debnath. Sony Norde finally recovered from an injury to his left knee and started on the left wing, providing a much-needed rest to Jeje Lalpekhlua.
DSK Shivajians went in with an unchanged team after their 1-1 draw against heavyweights Bengaluru FC and they were on the quest to extend their six-match unbeaten run.
Sony Norde nearly pulled off a goal in the fourteenth minute as he sprinted forward with the loose ball but his shot was blocked well by Surchandra Singh.
Eventually, the deadlock was broken by the Trinidad & Tobago-born striker Cornell Glen. Substitute Jeje’s shot from the edge of the box was parried by Subrata Paul before Glen slotted the ball home on the rebound.
Real Madrid youth product Juan Quero Barraso drew level at the half-hour mark. Douhou Pierre fed the ball from behind for the Spaniard to slot the ball past Debjit Majumder.
The winger silenced the home crowd four minutes later as he brought up his brace with a shot from the left side of the pitch.
Sony Norde restored parity four minutes to the break. Beating three defenders on his way, the Haitian unleashed a blistering shot which found the back of the net to provide the hope for the home side.
On the stroke of halftime, Cornell Glen scored his second of the day. An individual effort saw him get the better of Jhingan and Ralte to slot past the seasoned Indian custodian.
After the break, the game turned to be a see-saw event with end-to-end stuff from both sides.
Visiting skipper Dipanda Dica headed the equalizer in the 75th minute to shut the Bagan hopes. The super-sub Israil Gurung hovered a cross from the right which was met with a delectable header from the Cameroonian.
Mohun Bagan, after fifteen games, have amassed 27 points and DSK are sitting in the fourth spot with 15 points.
However, the race for the title intensifies as reigning champions Mohun Bagan bank on other results to triumph the Hero I-League once again.
