Kolkata, India – DSK Shivajians Football Club came back from behind to salvage a point in an entertaining encounter against the defending champions Mohun Bagan, which ended 3-3, here at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata.
A brace from Juan Quero (29th min, 33rd min), and a second half equalizer by Pierrick Dipanda (75th min), ensured that DSK Shivajians left the Barasat Stadium with a point. On the other side of the pitch, Subrata Paul single-handedly denied Mohun Bagan more than once to keep his side in the match.
The draw, for DSK Shivajians, who now have 15 points off their 14 matches in the Hero I-League 2015-16, was their third in a row. The result also catapults the Pune-based club to the fourth spot on the league table.
Defending champions Mohun Bagan were desperate to gain all three points going into the match, which would have put them in the driving seat for the title this year. On the other hand, DSK Shivajians, who went into the match high on morale following their impressive performance against Bengaluru FC, fielded an unchanged side for the fourth match running, with coach Derrick Pereira keeping his trust in the same players.
Mohun Bagan began the match brightly as Katsumi Yusa ran behind the DSK Shivajians defence to get to a lob, but Subrata Paul dashed forward in an unsuccessful attempt to collect the ball following which Sena Ralte cleared the ball.
The home side came close again in the 8th minute of the match when Cornell Glen ran at the DSK Shivajians' defence before he unleashed a shot which was blocked and cleared by Haroon Amiri.
The 17th minute of the match saw DSK Shivajians’ keeper Subrata Paul make a stunning save to deny Glen after the latter was left one-on-one with the keeper.
Nine minutes later, Mohun Bagan made the pressure count as they took the lead through Cornell Glen. Jeje Lalpekhlua's initial shot was parried away by a diving Subrata Paul, but the ball fell to Glen, who tapped the ball in the back of the empty net to give the home side a valuable lead.
DSK Shivajians responded immediately, in the 29th minute, through Juan Quero, who scored after an exquisite passing move which was started by Sena Ralte as he found Douhou on top of the box, who relayed the ball for Quero to score.
Quero scored his second goal of the match to give DSK Shivajians the lead in the 33rd minute after Baljit Sahni found him with a back heel, as he charged towards the goal. The Spaniard then unleashed a powerful shot to beat Debjit and give DSK Shivajians the lead.
Mohun Bagan got back into the match in the 42nd minute when Sony Norde scored after striding deep into the DSK Shivajians’ backline before unleashing a well-placed shot to beat Subrata Paul in the Pune-based club’s goal. Moments later, the defending champions took the lead when Cornell Glen ran towards the DSK Shivajians’ goal and unleashed a powerful shot to beat Subrata Paul before Sandesh Jhingan could get in a block.
At half time, Mohun Bagan led DSK Shivajians 3-2 in this do-or-die clash for the Kolkata-based club.
The home side started the second half on the front foot, as they passed around the ball in the center of the pitch while DSK Shivajians struggled to keep possession.
The first real chance of the second half came from Mohun Bagan in the 51st minute, which DSK Shivajians survived. Jeje Lalpekhua missed the target from six yards out as his shot was deflected behind by Zote Ralte for a corner kick. Couple of minutes later, Dhanachandra Singh followed it up with a crashing right footer on to the far post, from the edge of the box on the left.
Cornell Glen was at it again in the 64th minute when he tried to curl a shot in the back of the net from the left of the box but the ball went wide off the goal. In the 72nd minute, Jeje unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box after he found Subrata Paul to be off his line, but his shot went above the bar.
In the 75th minute, against the run of play, Pierrick Dipanda leveled the score for DSK Shivajians. Substitute Israil, on for Baljit Sahani, moving on the right flank after Juan put him in possession did well to turn provider for Perrick at the far end with a measured cross that the striker headed home.
Mohun Bagan rushed forward following the equalizer, aiming to score the all-important winner, but were thwarted by the sturdy DSK Shivajians’ defence. Katsumi Yusa had a late chance to grab a winner for the home side, after gaining the ball from an intelligent flick from Glen, but a diving Subrata Paul thwarted his shot before it was cleared away. The match ended level, with DSK Shivajians producing a brave-heart performance on the night.
The Pune-based club will now welcome Aizawl FC in their final home match of the season on 16th April 2016.
