Mc Dowells Mohun Bagan left it late but secured full three points against Chirag United Kerala in their first "home" match of the I-League on Friday at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan.
Early on in the first half Jose Ramirez Barreto gave a fine through ball to Sunil Chetri but he was not able to reach the pass. Otherwise a boring encounter where neither of the teams really impressed and the both teams could have done much better.
The match came alive in the 2nd half with Chirag United Kerala putting the early pressure on Mohun Bagan with a flurry of attacks. However it was Mohun Bagan who opened the scoring after a goalkeeping error by the Chirag United Kerala keeper was not able to hold onto a what seems a harmless shot and it went back to Odafa Okalie who made no mistake with the finish and drew first blood for Mohun Bagan in the 50th minute. In the 58th minute Odafa however limped off the field with a groin injury and was substituted.
Chirag United Kerala hit back through a strike from their Australian striker Michel Matriccani in the 67th minute. Jagdeep Singh centred the ball from the left. Michel received the ball on the top of the box and finished it past the onrushing Sangaram Mukehrjee who was able to get just a hand on it.
Just when it looked like Chirag United Kerala might have done enough to take 1 point from the match McDowells Mohun Bagan earned a free kick right on the edge of the box when Jose Barreto was brought down in the 84th minute. Jose Barreto himself stepped up to take the free kick and placed the ball perfectly over the wall and beyond the goalkeeper’s right hand to the side netting the goal much to the celebrations of the home fans.
McDowells Mohun Bagan held on till the end even as Barreto himself left the field after suffering an injury. Mohun Bagan having used all their substitutions had to see out the last few minutes with only 10 men.
A close encounter in the end one can say that it was a hard fought win for Mohun Bagan who would be happy to play away from Kolkata next, having won both their first two matches. Chirag United Kerala on the other hand would be disappointed not to have secured at least a point from the match.
SALGAOCAR BEAT PAILAN ARROWS 4-0
Salgocar Sports Club registered their first win in the I-League with a 4-0 hammering of Pailan Arrows at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
The defending champions were helped by penalty, an own goal and the sending off of Pailan Arrows defender Avinabo Bag in the 22nd minute. Bag was issued the marching orders after he handled the ball on the goalline conceding a penalty which Edeh Chidi converted with ease.
Chidi had himself scored the first goal a little earlier, and after being two goals and a player down, it was curtains for Pailan Arrows.
There was, however, more embarrassment for the youngsters as Francis Fernandes was allowed plenty of space and time to head home the third goal in the 25th while Pailan Arrows defender Lalrozama Fanai conceded an own goal at the half hour mark.
Salgaocar started with positive intent and surged ahead in the 15th minute when Chidi controlled a ball from Biswajit Saha and let go a powerful drive from top of the box giving no chance to Pailan goalkeeper Naveen Kumar.
Salgocar soon found themselves 2-0 ahead when Avinabo handled Chidi’s shot – which was headed towards goal – prompting the referee to issue him the marching orders and also a penalty. Chidi stepped up and made no mistake.
Hardly had the cheers died down, Salgaocar struck again, this time Jaspal Parmar working his way down the right flank and essaying a ball into the heart of the Pailan goalmouth where Francis headed with ease.
Salgaocar’s fourth goal was another gift. This time it was Lalrozama Fanai who was the culprit as the youngster turned a harmless Saha cross into his own goal.
Pailan Arrows did not have much to show although at the start of the match they had appeared to test Salgocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh with a couple of long rangers.
The second session was mostly a saga of missed chances as Salgaocar strikers took turns in missing chances.
Meanwhile host Shillong Lajong defeated HAL Bangalore 1-0 in the Imphal derby
