Mohun Bagan routed George Telegraph by 3-0 margin in a practice match held in Howrah Stadium. The Bagan coach fielded most of the reserves in todays game where the team played under the name of Howrah Mayor’s XI. Marcos, James and Kartik Kisku were the goal scorers.

Marcos played for full 90 minutes and his performance was very impressive. He scored one goal off a right footed punch from edge of the box which entered the goal like a bullet with the goalkeeper being stranded in the goalline. James Singh Sr. had scored the first goal. In 2nd half, Marcos took a free kick from the left flank, the ball swerved nicely and went to Kartick Kisku who just pushed the ball inside empty goal.

TEAM: Gopal Das (Raju Ekka), Rino Anto, Manju (Karan Atwal), Anand Vashan, Naveen Kumar, Suman Bose, James Sr. Jr. (Henry), Marcos, James Singh Sr., Kartick Kisku, Tapan Maity.

Mohun Bagan team is flying to Goa today, they will be meeting Sporting de Goa in their first away match on Saturday, October 11, 2008.However, coach is little worried as he will not get the service of Baichung and there is a doubt whether he will be able to field Lalampuia or Habibur in that match though they will be part of the squad that is going to Goa.

Sangram and Baichung will not be going to Goa. Shilton is also slightly ill but is expected to play in the vital match against Sporting de Goa. Coach Kareem is relying on team game and is hoping that Mariners will get full points from this match. The match will start from 4 pm and live update will be available in www.mohunbaganclub.com

Bagan share points in a 1-1 draw with Air India in an avid display of squandered chances. Mohun Bagan began the match on a right note and intent as they opened the Air India goal mouth on numerous occasions right from the start go.
Ishfaq Ahmed played his heart out, spearheading innumerable forays into the heart of Bimal Ghosh’s defense line. But the Mariners failed to do what mattered most – to wrest initiative !

Lalkamal Bhoumik who featured in the starting XI looked good after a long time. He did take confident strides and issued good looking long passes, which either resulted in Lalampuia narrowly missing the mark or in a missed Barreto effort ! 

But it was Air India who went 1 up during the lime break. The goal was the costly effect of a defensive lapse which could have been saved by Shilton Paul, who, otherwise was quite effervescent under the cross bar.

Branco Cardozo came on in during the 2nd half and managed to salvage some pride for the Mariners as he netted in the equaliser from a PC Lalampuia pass.

Apart from this the story rounded up as the Bagan efforts kept on missing the target or found its target in the hands of the Air India custodian.The end result – Bagan lost 5 out of 6 points in their first 2 matches. Another I-League and another saga of lost points !

 Photos: Saurav Mitra