The Hindu : Sport / Football : Mohun Bagan back to winning ways

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 06, 2011
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Football

Mohun Bagan back to winning ways

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: After a series of five draws, McDowell Mohun Bagan returned to winning ways at a very crucial time of the ongoing ONGC I-League against Viva Kerala winning 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.

Mohun Bagan struck twice through Muritala Ali (37th) and substitute Jose Barreto (86th). For Viva, substitute C.S. Sabeeth reduced the margin in injury time.

The best chance in this half was gained by Viva Kerala. With 10 minutes to go for the break, U. Jimshad, put through on the left, ran in unchallenged only to chip the ball over Bagan custodian Shelton Paul.

Bagan tasted success soon after when Muritala Ali controlled a difficult ball with his left foot and placed home a low right-footer for the first goal.

After Ali shot across the goal mouth off an Ashim Biswas pass, Viva's Anil Kumar drilled a shot into the goal tender. Just before the break, the Viva citadel survived very narrowly when an Ishfaq Ahmad free-kick from left was headed to the near post by Ali. With Viva goalie Sharath out of position, defender Charles Dzisah headed the ball away.

With most of the home-grown talent serving the team well, Bagan looked a better side in the second half. Snehasish Chakraborty, very active on the left, sent in a lovely low back centre catching the rival defence on the wrong foot. Satish Kumar shot over the opening.

Down 0-1, Viva also looked desperate to get back on even keel. The opportunity came when Felix Chimaokou cut in on the left and his back centre found Anil Kumar. His firm shot was headed away by a Bagan defender.

The home side made two quick changes bringing in Barreto for Ashim Biswas and Gouranga Dutta in place of Ishfaq. Soon after, Barreto made his presence felt with a goal with four minutes to go for the final whistle.

Sabeeth pulled one back for Viva in injury time.

With this win Mohun Bagan jumped to 25 points from six wins and seven draws, while Viva stayed on 12 points from 17 matches. It was its ninth loss.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport