Mohun Bagan got past DSK Shivajians today thanks to personal brilliance of Balwant Singh.
Bagan started with a careful note, with two defensive midfielders, but started losing the control of the game as DSK did well in intercepting the ball from time to time and their quick counter attack created panic for Bagan defense.
In one such attack DSK got the lead as Edu failed to clear the ball, and Pritam was clueless as DSK player Milan scored with a sprint past Bagan defense (0-1).
Bagan coach had to withdraw Sehnaz and replace him with Prabir, and this move helped Bagan get back into the game.
Yusa moved to the middle , and Pritam and Prabir started creating movements from right with Sony and Subhasis from left.
In one such movement a Pritam cross was half heartedly cleared by Subrata and Balwant header made it 1-1.
Soon a similar attack followed, and Balwant’s brilliance made it 2-1.
In the second half Balwant missed three chances to get his hat trick.
Later he was replaced with Jeje. Jeje was once pushed inside the box, and Bagan got penalty. Yusa converted the same by hitting at right of Subrata (3-1).
However, Bagan coach will have to see if Prabir can come into first XI and move Yusa to the middle. Prabir, Pritam, Pronay trio are doing well. So are Sony and Duffy with Subhasish’s support.
In fact Duffy was the man who was distributing the ball well, which helped Bagan keep control after conceding the goal.
However refereeing was extremely poor, Bagan was denied of three clear penalties. There were two occasions were Bagan players were hit off the ball directly by DSK players. But no card was shown. These types of refereeing seem to be from the same genre of Dinesh Nair’s and Santoshes which would benefit a specific team that for unknown reasons always get refereeing blessings.
