The biggest and the most-hyped game in Indian football lived up to its reputation as Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal 2-1 in a nerve-jangling Kolkata Derby at the Kanchenjungha Stadium in Siliguri on Sunday. Goals from Sony Norde and Azhar Mallick saw the Mariners go 2-0 up before half time, but Rowllin Borges managed to get one back in the 92nd minute to set up for a tense final few minutes.
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However, it proved to be too little too late as Mohun Bagan managed to beat their eternal rivals for the first time in 743 days in front of 30,000 fans.Here are the 5 things that we learnt from the game:
#1 Sony Norde is a footballing genius
Before the game, Sony Norde had been called out by several fans and pundits about his inability to express himself in the big games. In fact, the Haitian was so desperate to prove himself for this game that he used to take longer training sessions than the rest of the team.
As such, all his practice paid dividends as he not only influenced the game but also scored the crucial opening goal, which was a cracking free kick from 35 yards out. He was instrumental in almost every attack that Mohun Bagan put together, and was rightly adjudged as the “Hero Of The Match”.
With a performance like this, Norde has not only shut up his detractors but also given his coach Sanjoy Sen hope that they might just make it all the way again.
#2 East Bengal were poor in all departments
The Red and Gold brigade were comprehensively outplayed in all departments, be it defence or offence. Ivan Bukenya was the only one who seemed to have an iota of idea as to what was going on.
The 25-year-old Ugandan defender covered for Gurwinder Singh and Rahul Bheke on multiple occasions and was easily their best player on the pitch. He also had a header brilliantly saved by Debjit Majumdar and was instrumental in ensuring that his side did not concede more goals.
The rest of the squad, especially the likes of Mehtab Hossein, Jackichand Singh, Chris Payne, Rahul Bheke and Wedson Anselme put in some shocking passes, failing to stitch three passes together on most occasions. This is not how champions play and East Bengal certainly do not deserve to be one.
#3 Azhar Mallick could be the next big thing
It takes quite a lot of talent to displace someone like Jeje Lalpekhlua from a coach’s pecking order, but that is exactly what the young Azhar Mallick has done. The 19-year-old, who put in quite a performance away against Bengaluru FC last week, was chosen to partner Darryl Duffy up front in this match.
He justified his coach’s faith in him by scoring a stunning lob goal from 35 yards out, which will go down as one of the best derby goals ever scored. He was also proficient out wide, as he dragged Gurwinder and Robert out of position repeatedly, and the future looks good for him only if he can keeps his head down and keeps working hard and does not end up becoming another Manish Maithani.
#4 Trevor James Morgan has got to go
The British coach was brought back to the club in order to replicate his successful first stint, but he has failed to do so. Some of his decisions and recruits have made no sense so far, especially in those gut-destroying defeats to Churchill Brothers and Chennai FC.
He has repeatedly been involved in conflicts with the board and management, who should share much of the blame too. Morgan’s abysmal team selections and long-ball tactics have baffled all those who associate him to playing sensible, possession-based football.
Today, after conceding the goals, he looked completely bereft of ideas and resorted to thumping balls into the final third once again. His team had no answer against Bagan’s high pressing and were mostly outplayed in the midfield in the first half. It will indeed be a shock to see him continue after today’s defeat.
#5 The title is Mohun Bagan’s to lose now
Aizawl FC may still be leading the pack right now, but they are only one point ahead of Mohun Bagan. The Kolkata giants have a game in hand, and are on a stellar run of late, having beaten Bengaluru FC, Abahani FC in the AFC Cup and East Bengal in a week.
The defence looks solid, Sehnaj Singh has been brilliant in midfield while the trio of Katsumi Yusa, Sony Norde and Darryl Duffy have been sensational upfront. The Mariners have to play against Aizawl and Shillong Lajong in between now and the end of the season, but their fans can place their confidence in the abilities of their players.
The fact that they have incredible bench strength and a tactically nuanced coach will also help, and their dreams of pocketing a second league title in three seasons may soon turn into a reality.
