Bagan split points with Shillong Lajong in the I League. While both the teams are in relegation zone, so both teams were eager to win the match. The match was more vital to Bagan than any other. As they lost 12 points due to punishment, so they need the win much eagerly. But the match was ended in 2-2 draw. Bagan got lead twice but failed to hold lead in the both the occasion.

 In the hot weather of Kalyani Bagan started with Tolgey, Sabeeth and Nabi in the forward line. In the first half Bagan could not initiate anu significant execept a move by Nabi on the 6th minute of the match. In fact Lajong was much more attacking than Bagan in that phase.

In the second half, Bagan coach Bencharifa replaced Sushant Matthew by Manish Maithani. In the result of that Bagan started to attack more than they did in the first half. In the 51st minute Tolgey got the ball from a through of Sabeeth and Tolgey finished it well by a left footed gentle shot. That was a beautiful goal’ But the joy of mariners’ did not last too long, just a minute later Boithang equalized by a diagonal bullet shot from the right side of the box. Shilton was the spectator, and others were busy marking other players, but unmarked Boithang made all the difference.

In the 60th minute of the match Manish Maithani got the ball from Biswajit Saha, and volleyed the ball to the goal. It was one of the best goal. Bagan took the lead on 60th minute.

But in the 78th minute  Mahlima’s heads find the net and Lajong equalized again.

Bagan shares points with Shillong Lajong and fall in more trouble for relagation.

 

Mohun Bagan is due to meet Shillong Lajong in the next game. Lajong, with 20 points is out of the relegation zone, and have some new recruits that seem to have gone in favour of them in the last match where they hold Pune FC 2-2 in an away match. The last few iLeague matches of Lajong had following results – 2-2 (Pune FC), 0-2 (Salgaokar), 2-1 (United Sikkim) , 2-2 (Air India), 0-1 (Pailan Arrows). Edinho Júnior has been taken on loan from Blackburn Rovers and he played pretty well in the last game.

Shillong Lajong probable –

Ralte Lalthuammawia / Basant Singh
Subash Singh, Wailadmi Passah, C Lallawmzuala,
Jibon Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Taisuke Matsugane (Japan),Boithang Haokip/Lalramluaha Hmar, Edinho Júnior (Portugal)
Sushil Kumar Singh, Sho Kamimura(Japan)

Ralte’s goal keeping errors allowed Pune FC to come back to the last match – so it might be interesting to see if Lajong wants to put back Basant into the playing XI or continue with Ralte.

Lajong changes positions from time to time – shitch between 3-5-2 , 4-2-2- and 4-3-3 based upon the situation of the game. Edinho Júnior takes the load and at times go up with Sushil in upfront and at times come down and control the midfield. He is expected to play in between the middle third and attacking third. A good player – Edinho Júnior tries to beat opponent in the aerial control indeed. You might not find him touching the ball much but his technical sense helps him reaching close to the ball quickly in the attacking third.

Sho meanwhile tends to operate from the wing and would perhaps would be more responsible in crosses and sitters from outside the box.

Lajong tends to move a lot from the counter attacks – hence Bagan should be careful particularly from the set peice movements. Sushil should also be guarded well – and indeed he knows a bit of play acting – hence Bagan boys should be careful in handling him inside the box.

Lajong might be a bit defensive putting 6 or 7 players in the defensive third from time to time trying to frustrate Bagan boys in that zone – and then with a very capable set of midfielders who indeed are good sprinters and particularly intend to run down the middle. This is perhaps a game where Karim would like to have a defensive blocker between the midfield  and defense.

Bagan can’t afford anything short of 3 points and hence this is a game where the bagan boys will have to slow down the game a bit

Weakness – A bit of injury for the midfielders is a bit concerning for Lajong.
 

Mohun Bagan’s U-20 team performed badly in the recently concluded U-20 final round, and finished 5th among 6 teams. Pune FC’s Academy boys did well to retain the title for the second consecutive time. Bagan boys performed badly in the final round and one should give serious thinking to have a proper youth development plan to meet the club President’s Vision 2020. The president might retire in few years – but can we expect his team to gear up and deliver something close to his vision? Will the officials at least plan to deliver and bring back the ‘Youth Development’ of the club in right tracks?

The AIFF is planning for a proper youth development and team Mohun Bagan needs to be part of the same. Indeed Mohun Bagan has been delivering well through MBSFA and its tie up with various School academies, Jalpaigury Academy, GOALZ project – but when it comes to club’s own achievements we are falling behind! The resources available must be groomed properly and various consultation are needed at this level to get Youth development into the next level – hope Bagan officials will do the needful to achieve the same.

Mohun Bagan has an excellent set up of the Development centre in MBSFA , durgapur, merely 2 hours travel from Kolkata.  The development centre is aimed at boys aged 15 years and under. MBSFA endeavour to create a fun environment within the boundaries of discipline that allows the boys to demonstrate flair and individualism without fear of criticism, and organise an annual event and a tournament where few other Academies are invited. However,  tight budget does not allow Academy boys to travel abroad and participate in various tournaments abroad or at least at the national level (excepting for iLeague matches)

The Academy definitely carries out regular training to ensure the students are up-to-date with all the processes and  procedures, but the boys really will have to improve upon the technical abilities. The academy boys are expected to join and server the senior team – but excepting a few, the boys fail to meet expectations. Even Rahul , Vasuum, Sankar Oraon, Subhojit, Dipendu, Souvik are not regulars in the playing XI – Manish Bhargav definitely have future but has a long way to go.

The recent team has some promising players but they lack the ability shown by Pune, Sesa or TFA scouts.

Let us look back and see how the U-20 team performed in iLeague final round –

16^th March 2013 – 1-1 vs Salgaokar

18^th March 2013 – 2-0 vs East Bengal

20^th March 2013 – 0-2 vs Pune FC

22^nd March 2013 – 1-2 vs Sesa Football Academy

24^th March 2013 – 2-3 vs Tata Football Academy

One can recall Bagan ended 0-0 with Sesa Football Academy in the Group C match , lost to Shillong Lajong (1-3) beside securing full points against Air India (2-0) and Churchill Brothers (1-0)

 

Bagan indeed is doing well at the regional level but will really have to improve at the national level. The officials will have to ensure more people are involved in the Youth development; the players enjoy the game as well. AIFF has proposed some changes from 2013/14 season and Bagan should plan investing AIFF resources to assist, help and advices and follow recommendations to improve players’ participation and enjoyment as well as minor changes to develop better players.