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.

Mohun Bagan produced an imperious performance against a beleaguered Port Trust to retain top of the Kolkata Premier League on Sunday, Branco heading up a thumping 6-0 victory with his first hat-trick for the Green and Maroon.

Astonishingly, Bagan’s goals came in both-half blitz – 3 each in each half. Snehashish (2) and Kulothungan also got in on the act in a game the Green and Maroon brigade dominated from start to finish. Remarkably, it could have been even more convincing. Clear-cut opportunities ran comfortably into double figures, and so too could the scoreline.

In the 8th minute the flood gate was opened as Branco scored from a Snehashish free kick.

Branco had to wait for 4 more minutes to score his second and by the 15th minute he got his hattrick.

Then in the second half three more goals were scored. First it was Kulothungan – who scored in the 66th minute. In 79th minute Snehashish scored his first from a solo run. The 82nd minute goal was a repeat of his first one.

Snehashish was awarded Man of the Match.

 

Mohun Bagan: Sangram,Zenith,Azim,Biswajit,Rakesh,Branco (Suraj),Snehasish, Seuoka (Kulo),Ramlalluaha,Subho Kumar (Tomba) ,Souvik.

 Picture Courtesy: AAJKAAL

Mohun Bagan big wins against local clubs continued with another emphatic win, which eased the pressure on the new chief coach Satyajit Chatterjee.

Bagan fans was justifiably euphoric when they got Satyajit as the chief Coach, but the challenge for the team now is to build on this with Kolkata and iLeague wins. 

As such, Bagan’s sizeable win could not have come at a better time for Satyajit, who despite his low profile over his position must have been feeling the heat when Bagan drew with Mohammedan Sporting.

Bagan, who had lost 2-3 to Chirag in their first meeting in this league, displayed an all-round development and utilised the opportunities that came their way in the first half. Chirag, who started the league campaign with a bright note and were at the second spot in the league table till this match, failed to live up to the expectations and their defence crumbled whenever there was any pressure in the first half which virtually decided the fate of the match. With this victory, Bagan joined Chirag at the third spot with both having 23 points from 14 matches. Dempo are now leading the table, followed by Mahindra United, who have gathered 25 points from 14 games so far.

From the moment Jose Barreto scored to put Bagan ahead in the 17th minute from a penalty given by referee due to foul on Manju in the penalty box, the outcome was never in doubt, the only question the size of the winning margin, with Bagan in rampant mood. 

Chidi steered the ball in 27th minute at the far post from a Sueoka pass .

Chirag players were awful and found themselves staring at a humiliating defeat after conceding a further two goals before the half-hour.

In the 34th minute Barreto seized on a Marcos corner and converted it to 3-0.

Chidi scored his second in the 42nd minute from a square pass from Sueoka (4-0). The goal was scored from 20° angle by the Nigerian striker.

Barreto scored the fifth and completed his hat-trick just before the lemon break from a nice pass from Chidi(5-0).

When the half-time whistle came, Chirag’s shattered players began to walk towards the touchline.

In the 2^nd half it was just a regulation 45 minutes, no such urge for Mariners to score more goals, yet Chiddi’s long ranger from 25 yards hit the side post and Sueoka missed a easy chances. Nevertheless Somnath Khanra saved also couple of sure goals.

In the 89th minute Joshimer pushed Surkumar down and got hold of the ball. When every body was thinking of a justifiable foul in favour of Bagan – Joshimer pushed the ball into the net and the confused referee took some time and then decided that its a goal! However the Chirag coach found some consolation at least.

It is significant that is the first time when Mariners were in almost full strength and showed a football which cannot be forgotten. New coach Satyajit has brought some fresh air in the dressing room which helped the players a lot to perform their best. Each of Bagan fan will now hope for more and for title.

Barreto was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Team Mohun Bagan: Sangram, Surkumar, Deepak, Azim (Masih), Manju, James (Kulu), Sueoka, Marcos, Ishfaq (Snehasis), Barreto, Chidi