The Hindu : Sport / Football : Fransa edges past Mohun Bagan

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Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

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Sport - Football

Fransa edges past Mohun Bagan

MARGAO, MARCH 15. Fransa Pax survived a late charge to down Mohun Bagan 2-1 and opened its second leg campaign on a bright note in the ONGC 9th National Football League, played at the Nehru Stadium, here on Tuesday.

Fransa, which beat the Kolkata giants in the first phase by an identical margin in Kolkata, scored through `Player of the Match', Peter Rodrigues (15th minute) and Benjamin Ansah (66th).

After missing a couple of close chances, former champion Bagan reduced the margin in the 81st minute when Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva headed home a cross from Renedy Singh, from the left.

Bagan, which had a bumpy ride in the first phase, was looking to start its second phase on a winning note but failed to impress as it lacked the killer instinct upfront.

Towards the close of the play, Bagan made desperate attempts for the equaliser. Substitute Abhai Kumar had a couple of good chances to restore parity but wasted both the occasions. Renedy Singh initiated both the moves.

With today's win, Fransa came on par with Mahindra United, with 18 points from 12 outings which includes five wins, three draws and four defeats, below league leader East Bengal with 24 points and Dempo with 21 points. .

Mohun Bagan remained on the seventh place, with 15 points from an equal number of outings. — Agencies

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