The Mohun Bagan supporters will be delighted, that team Mohun Bagan have managed to beat the Federation Cup champions by 2-1, by scoreline and also by the number of wins in the season.
Although there were no surprises in Bagan’ formation, the actual tactics were slightly different today. They defended extremely narrowly against KEB, almost forcing KEB to go around the defense rather than through it. It was a more traditionally-spaced back four – Surkumar, Azim, Deepak and Mohanraj, playing higher up the pitch. Masih was in the libero position – and hence there was a defensive screen before the defense. Barreto and Chidi played up against the KEB centre-backs, with Sueoka and later Snehasish doing well to drop into midfield to pick up KEB’s deep defense with or without possession.
Bagan consistently looked to Sueoka, and he caused KEB no end of problems. Saumik was only supposed to track him as far as the halfway line, Okpara would cover Barreto and Mehraj and Khabra would take care of Chidi. But in the 13th minute the playmaker Sueoka open for a pass as he came to the wing, and the responsibility fell to Barreto to head – and Bagan was up 1-0. Before this goal – Sueoka himself went into the position but messed up with the ball and hit it at the sidenet.
The resulted in the KEB’s full-backs playing extremely high up the pitch even when not in possession, and therefore basically left a 2 v 4 situation at the back. Its Barreto and Chidi vs the four defendes of KEB. Okpara started chasing Barreto – and at times was found fouling him inside Bagan defensive third.
Okpara was not the only one to hit Bagan players – Khabra, Hammond, Mehtab, Saumik joined in soon. While Nabi tried to play some creative football others were found busy hitting Bagan players.
Then in the 86th minute Sueoka was able to drag Saumik, making it perfect for counter-attacks, and his final pass found Snehasish breaking quickly KEB defense and it was 2-0.
KEB defensehad the beating of Sueoka both for pace and in the air.
Bagan’s intention to secure 3 points by holding the ball was seen before Bhaichung snatched a ball – passed it to Sanju Pradhan whose final in the far post found Yakubu and Yakubu scored the lone goal for KEB of the match. Seconds after this goal referee Suresh blew the final whistle.
Picture courtesy : Sangbad Pratidin