2 points in last 2 matches is really pushing out Mohun Bagan little far from the run of championship in the ONGC I-League this year. In the last two matches where they expected maximum points against team like Pune FC and JCT, actually they have managed to draw only in the both matches with score line remain same 0-0.

But Mariners’ livewire Brazilian Jose Barreto is still very much hopeful about their run for championship in the tournament. Even though he missed the penalty in the JCT match at Ludhiana, still he thinks that is not the end, a long way to go. Against Sporting Clube de Goa Mohun Bagan will play their next match at home turf. And as many as seven players of Mariners are already shown yellow card in earlier matches. The players are- Sangram, Shilton, Barreto, Marcos, Deepak, Azim, Masih, so coach Satyajit Chatterjee cautioned all those players to play cautiously, so that they must not miss the next match on 27^th of March i.e. against Fed Cup runners Shillong Lajong. Isfaq Ahmed will be missed the match due to double booking. Moreover these two matches will be played at Kolkata and Mariners must get full points from these two matches otherwise their dream of hope of I –League may fall in to river Ganga. Coach Satyajit or veteran Barreto as well as the team believe the league is still open very much so no more point loss, only to go forward with full advantage. Eventually Mariners got the golden chance to go at least at the second spot of the table after Mahindra’s draw and Dempo’s loss in the last round but Mariners could not take the opportunity to go ahead.

Mohun Bagan-SCG match will be played at Yuba Bharati Krirangan from 4.30pm on Saturday, 20^th of March.

Penalty miss by Barreto and a lot of missed chances cost Mariners 2 vital points in ONGC I League against JCT at round 16. Mohun Bagan still on the 4th spot of the table. They are in 25 points from 16 matches. Mohun Bagan had a good chance to go up of the table. Specially after draw of Mahindra against KEB and loss of Dempo aginst Salgaokar, Bagan was eyeing the top spot. They could manage up to go the third spot by winning against JCT. But lot of missed chances by the Bagan players could not help them to earn three vital away points.

Team:

Mohun Bagan- Sangram, Surkumar, Dipak, Masih, Manju, Sueoka, Marcos, Ishaq, Snehasis (James), Barreto, Chiddi      

An important clash between Mohun Bagan and Pune FC in the 15th round of ONGC I-League ended in a goalless draw.

Mohun Bagan got ample chances to score specially in the 2nd half but no attack has been converted into a goal. In the 1st half Pune FC was the better side in comparison to the home side. Subrata Paul was adjudged as Man of the match. But referee P.K. Bose was not up to the mark. He canceled the genuine goal of Deepak Mondal in the 63rd minute of the match due to some unkown reason. When all the players, supporters thought thats the sure goal, only he thought Sueoka fouled earlier a Pune player. Absolutely strange decision. The gallery of the Howrah Stadium was overcrowded by the mariners but their hope to see the victory of the home team didn’t come alive after all. Marcos, Snehasis both missed some chances from which they can score. Subrata Paul  and Sangram Mukherjee both the goalkeepers  were outstanding under the post. Specially Paul who was adjudged Man of the Match saved few of the sure shot attacks from Bagan and saved his team. Barreto tried a lot but Chiddi was missed heavily. Satyajit Chatterjee had started with Sueoka in the upfront with Barreto but it was not the effective at all. Then Marcos and Sueoka exhanged their position. Substitution of Isfaq should come much earlier, because after his replacement and Snehasis inclusion there were few good positive attacks from Bagan left flank which could help to go ahead to the visiting team. One more to say that after a brilliant hattrick in the last match of KPL Branco deserved the 1st eleven from the starting of the match, but unfortunaltely he was in the field on the 80th minute.

Team

Mohun Bagan: Sangram, Surkumar, Dipak, Masih, Manju, James (Branco), Lalramluaha, Marcos, Isfaq (Snehasis), Barreto, Sueoka.