Another CFL encounter, another day of dominance, another hat trick by ace striker, Muritala Ali and another 3 points earned. That could be a good way to summarize today’s match against Mohammedan AC as the Mariners won the match 3 -1.

Today was the fourth post-puja encounter for Mariners in Sahara CFL 2010 and the resilient Mariners displayed their sheer dominance to earn 3 valuable points beating Mohammedan AC 3 – 1 at their home ground. The deadly trio, ‘Berreto-Chidi-Muritala’, were in-charge right from the beginning of the match and it was Muritala’s day today as he found the net on 11^th minute as he finished the movement spearheaded  by Snehasis and Barreto (1 – 0). However, the initial lead didn’t sustain long as Saheed of Mohammedan AC took the advantage of defensive lapse and stunned the stadium with an equalizer on 18^th minute (1 – 1). Since the resumption of post puja vacation encounters, Mariners defense were unbeaten till 288 minutes but a rare mistake from Karan Atwal might prove to be costly for the team on this occasion.

Fact sheet of today’s match

 Picture Courtesy : Bartaman

A 3-0 victory against Railway Football Club brought sweet 3 points in Sahara CFL for Mariners. Muritala Ali opened the score card in the first half while Edeh Chidi scored a couple of brilliant goals in the second half and ensured a convincing win in the 6th match for the team Mohun Bagan. The win takes the Mariners at the top segment of the standing with 13 points in 6 matches.

Bagan coach Stanley Rozario opted for the same XI like previous match against George. Right from the begining, Mariners created immense pressure to the Railway Football Club’s defence. In the 22nd minute Surabuddin, the under-19 member of the squad, missed an open net. However, in the 32nd minute Muritala Ali scored an easy goal from a rebound of RFC’s goalkeeper.  From a corner of Snehasis, Kingshuk’s header was cleared by goalkeeper of RFC within the goal in the six yards box but Muritala Ali was there to score from this move in a open net (1-0).

Immediately after taking the lead, couple of attacks were initiated by Mohun Bagan players but none of those could change the score sheet. In the 42nd minute Muritala Ali scored from Edeh Chidi’s cross but referee gave it offside. At the end of first half it was 1-0 in favour of Bagan.

In the second half Bagan started with a bang while a lot of attacks were initiated but many of those went in vain as Mohun Bagan players found themselves trapped in off-side position most of the occasions.

In the 60th minute of the match, a solo effort made by Dhanrahan from the left flank as he crossed the ball to Barreto and Barreto passed the ball to Edeh Chidi by a brilliant flick in right foot and Chidi made no mistake to put the ball into the net by his right toe (2-0). What a brilliant attack and team effort that has been !!

In the 64th minute Muritala Ali got bit physical and was shown yellow card. This time uncountable attacks from Snehasis in the left flank destroyed the defensive policy of Railway FC. We have to mention the name of Snehais Chakraborty for his attacking game and brilliant effort in the field for his team. In the 71st minute Stanley Rozario brought Ashim Biswas in the place of Muritala Ali and 79th minute Satish Kumar came in the place of Jose Barreto. Chidi scored his second and team’s third goal in the 80th minute by a brilliant volley (3-0).

In the 82nd minute Snehasis was replaced by academy boy young Souvick Chakraborty. After that severe attack was made by Mariners but didn’t increase their number of goal. However Bagan finished the match in happy mode by winning the match 3-0. Snehasis Chakraborty was declared Man of the Match.

Team:

Mohun Bagan – Shilton, Kingshuk, Sagram, Dhanarajan, Karan, Jayanta, Snehasish (Souvick), Surabuddin, Barreto (Satish Kumar), Chidi(C), Muritala (Ashim).

 Picture Courtesy : Bartaman

If there were nagging doubts in the Mohun Bagan dressing room that we can win the Premier League this season, they were firmly banished by the 7-0 win against George Telegraph.

The Nigerian Edeh Chidi’s 4 goals of the match – that lead to completion of 150 goals in India proved to be the winner that sent his side back to the run for the top of the table as Bagan won 7-0 over George Telegraph. Subair Muritala ali scored the remaining three goals.One can’t remember when was the last time in Premier Division football two hattricks took place in the same game.

Being second in the Federation Cup is not nice, particularly when the referee cancelled two clean goals, but when Mariners are playing in this Premier league with so many games, the fans saw that the players were fresh and this is important.

A full fortnight to prepare and rest ahead of monday’s match  was a help but it was not a smooth build-up for Chidi who had fitness issues from the beginning of the season. However he started scoring from the very 1st minute and he alone scored the goals at 1st, 5th, 45th and 71st minute.
Chidi, with the Captain’s arm band today,  believes Premier League excursions could be seen in the title holder’s start to the game.

Muritala Ali assisted him well with goals scored in 47th , 53rd and 77th minute.
Snehasish (replaced by Satish in 69th minute), Jayanta and Barreto (replaced by Diamondstar in 55th minute) controlled the midfield. Even young Surabuddin (replaced by David in 73rd minute) supported the team in various occasions.

Chidi was elected as the Man of the Match.

Meanwhile the derby between Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting scheduled on Sunday, 24th October, will be postponed, Bagan will play against Eastern Rail on that day at Mohun Bagan Ground from 2.30 pm.

Team:

Mohun Bagan – Shilton, Kingshuk, Sagram, Dhanarajan, Karan, Jayanta, Snehasish( Satish Kumar 71′), Surabuddin(Davic 74′), Chidi(C), Muritala, Barreto (Diamondstar 56′).

Picture Courtesy : Bartaman