In spite of taking early lead, Mohun Bagan settles for a draw in the opening encounter of IFA Shield campaign against Lajong FC. Ashim Biswas finds the net for the Mariners while Zenith equalized for Lajong FC. With a long list of injury, it was a tough time for the Mohun Bagan officials to choose the first XI. Except Deepak Mondal and Chidi, no other
first team players were available for the service in the starting line up in the opening encounter of a tournament like IFA Shield, with which Mohun Bagan have been sharing a deep rooted legacy and prestige for last 100 years !! It is shocking but nevertheless true.

With Chidi and Ashim in the forward line, Mohun Bagan started off cautiously in 4-4-2 formation realizing the limitation of the team as well as the adverse weather situation. It looked like a dead rubber as none of the teams could take the control in the mid-field. Couple of solo initiatives at times by Chidi, Ashim or Snehasis were not good enough to bother the Lajong defense. Mariners finally broke the jinx in 32nd minute of the match when Ashim’s header from Satish’s floater from the corner flag finds the net (1-0).  However, the joy was short lived for the Mariners as Lajong took the initiative immediately and started putting pressure on the opponents. Ishfaq and Barreto came as the substitutes in the second half but failed make any major impact. On the other hand, it was Zenith of Lajong FC took an amazing free kick on 67th minute to stun the Mariners (1-1).
Undoubtedly injury and weather can be major factors for such a mediocre performance for the Mariners. However, the squad and the think tanks must realize that the time is running out thick and fast before they could put some good performance so that millions of supporters could regain their hope to add any more feather in the trophy room

Team:

Mohun Bagan: Sangram, Nazimuddin, Dipak, Kingshuk, Dhanrajan, Gouranga, Jayanta, Dipendu (Biswajit), Satish (Ishfaq), Chidi, Ashim (Barreto).

Bagan conceded 4 goals at Goa against Dempo. Bagan team with full strength except Barreto, who was in the reserve bench. T.D. Subhas Bhowmick told earlier before match started that 3 points is the primary target but one point could be alright for his team.

From the starting of the match Bagan started to initiate some good attacks but could not able to convert those attacks to goal. In the 27th minute of the match from brilliant cross from Beto Climax Lawrence drew the first blood of Bagan defence through a dynamic head. Shilton was unmoved and he had nothing to do with that goal. Dhanrajan was spectator this time. (0-1).

Just two minutes after the first goal Clifford Miranda scored the second for Dempo from a through of Ranti,  again all the defenders looked like spectator and Shilton tried but couldn’t able to stop Clifford to put the ball inside the net. (0-2).

Till the end of the first half Bagan defence was literally shivering by the frquent attacks of  the Goan giant. Meanwhile Shilton was seemed to be injured before half time. But in the second half no change made by Mohun Bagan TD. But Bagn conceded another goal via Ranti Martins from a pass of Beto in the 47th minute (0-3). For this goal injury of Shilton is mainly liable. In the 49th minute Sangram came in the field for Shilton.  But frequency of Dempo attacks was hard to tolerate by Bagan defence. In the 67th minute Snehasis was replaced by Barreto. In the 68th minute Anwar made a goalline save and stop his team to concede the goal no. 4. But not too late Bagan conceded the goal no. 4 in the 72nd minute via Clifford Miranda (0-4). In the 87th minute Muritala Ali scored a consolation goal for Mariners (1-4). Clifford Miranda was adjudged Man of the match.

Mohun Bagan will now play the next match against Shillong Lajong in the IFA Shield encounter at Salt Lake Stadium at 2.00 pm on Monday 14th March.

Bagan will play their next i-League match on 3rd of April against Mumbai FC at Kolhapur.

Team:

Mohun Bagan: Shilton (Sangram), Surkumar, Dipak, Anwar, Dhanrajan, Snehasis (Barreto), Rakesh Masih, Jayanta, Ishfaq (Satish), Chidi, Muritala.

Come tomorrow, Sunday the 20th Feb and Mohun Bagan will be up against the team that defeated them in the first leg. A payback time altogether for the Mariners as they lock horn against HAL and that too at their own backyard.

The Aircraftsmen will be missing the service of the ever-dependable Xavier VijayKumar, who is serving one match suspension due double booking (against East Bengal and JCT).
 

Mohun Bagan practiced today at the match venue, Shree Kanteerava Stadium in the morning. The condition of the ground deterred Technical Director (TD) Subhas Bhowmik to go out for a full-blown practice session. Instead, he resorted to stretching, playing half-ground on both the sides, and finally set-piece movements.

Apart from missing crucial players, Bagan TD looked like a worried man, thanks to the football pitch! National-level football is being played here after many years, and the ground is uneven, with bald-patches in many places. Minutes after Mohanraj started practicing, he experienced a groin pain, and was out of practice for the entire session.

 

Bhowmik recollected the 70’s decade, where he played at the same ground, which was in much better condition.

It’s a crucial situation for Mohun Bagan – needs to garner full points, also ensuring the players are free from any kind of injury.

 

 

 

Subhajyoti Banerjee ,Bangalore.