Barreto hattrick helped Mariners win the 2nd match of Sahara CFL-2008 Bagan win the match 3-1 against Chirag United today. In a match where the rain god and bad light almost threatened to play spoil sport, and the new Bagan squad was looking a tad out of touch, the ever dependable Barreto rose to the occassion and netted thrice with lethal precision. Overall Mohun Bagan did not play good football like first game but Barreto magic ensured 3 points. From the start of the match, Mohun Bagan midfield was under pressure and Barreto and Lalam were not getting much help from them and thus very little chance was created. In fact, Chirag took charge of early proceeding and looked better at this time with Sankar and Gouranga playing good football.

For Bagan, Odafa was rock solid in defence with support from Vashan. Ishfaq was trying hard in left flank. In 26th minute, Barreto scored his first goal with ease after he gave a ball to Ishfaq on left who centered the ball back and Barreto pushed it in with ease past the Chirag custodian. Arindam could not react, such was the placement. Just after the goal, Maxi missed an easy goal for Chirag from a Gourango pass.

In 2nd half, Bagan looked solid and Barreto scored his 2nd goal in 52nd minute via a Ishfaq cross which he headed home to perfection, a trademark striker goal. Within 8 minutes, Barreto completed his hattrick, this time also Ishfaq provided the ball and Barreto hold the ball in the box and shoot home with a left footed grounder with goalkeeper beaten all ends up. Achinta Saha scored a late goal for Chirag due to defensive lapse after Sangram had made a valiant save from a cross from the left side. There was heavy downpour towards the end of the match and Chirag appealed for bad light and wasted 5 minutes. However, the conditions improved with better visibility and the rain subsiding and the match, was completed without any further incidents except a pulled muscle of Habibur and a nasty tackle on Branco, which the referee, oddly, overlooked.

After the match, when Kareem was asked about Barreto, he promptly answered, "You guys keep on asking about Barreto’s form and the man has answered time again all your queries on the field."

In half time, Mohun Bagan under-12 players who won the Indian leg of Yakult Danone Nations Cup in Delhi on Saturday, did a lap of honour at the club ground. They will be honored on MB day on 29th July. The team will represent India in Nations Cup finals in Paris from September 4 to 7.

 TEAM: Sangram, Habibur Rahman, Peter Odafe, Anand Vasin, Rahul Kumar, Sanjoy Boro (Lal Ram Luaha 65), Lalkamal, L. James Singh (S. James Singh 61), Ishfaq, PC Lalampuiya (Branco 77), Jose Barreto

Yellow Cards: Lalkamal, Ishfaq, Lal Ram Luaha

Goals: Barreto (26, 52, 60)

 Pic Courtesy: Achintya Roy

Global Glory for Baichung ! Baichung Bhutia – the Mohun Bagan Captain netted in two goals, one in each half in the Goal4Africa project Kick off match. The match saw ensemble of stars from across the world at the Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany. Stars like Clarence Seedorf, Michael Ballack, Gattuso, Dida, Michael Shumacher, Edmilson and many more graced the occassion today. Baichung’s team, led by the Dutch International & AC Milan star Clarence seedorf lost out 6-9 to their opponents led by German Captain Michael Ballack. Baichung scored the first goal after deftly receiving the ball off his chest and thumping his left footer in driving the world famous DIDA onto the wrong side! The second goal was off an accurate Seedorf pass.

Mohun Bagan starts the CFL with a 3-0 win Lalawmpuia score 2 goals while Branco scores the third against Peerless. Mohun Bagan were in an attacking mode under new coach Kareem from the very first and got first goal within 2 minutes off a long throw from Odafa which beat all defenders and went straight to Lalampuia who just pushed the ball past goalkeeper, a great start to this year’s premier league. Bagan then pressed more and got second goal off a brilliant threw pass from Ishfaq which found Lalampuia who finished the ball with ease past goalkeeper, a brilliant moves resulted this goal. However, after the goal Mariners slowed the pace of the game and made few mistakes and Peerless tried to attack but could not do much because of flawless defending especially by Odafa and Vashan. Odafa was brilliant today.

 In 2nd half, Mohun Bagan brought in Tulunga and after that attacked more and created many chances but unfortunately could not score. Lalampuia and Lalkamal missed chances. Branco scored the 3rd goal off a brilliant Barreto pass which he finished brilliantly. Overall a great start to the season.

TEAM: Sangram, Habibur, Odafe, Vasan, Rahul (Malswamtluanga), Sanjoy Boro (Suman Bose), Lalkamal, James, Ishfaq, Lalawmpuia (Branco), Barreto