I-League: Mohun Bagan drub Salgaocar FC 3-1; Stay top of the table

Mohun Bagan retain their lead at the top of I-League table

Mohun Bagan’s dream continues in the Hero I-League as they thrash Salgaocar SC 3-1 at the Barasat Stadium, Kolkata. Denson Devadas’ goal helped the home side take the lead in the 50th minute. Salgaocar’s Augustin Fernandes then restored parity just after two minutes. However in the 70th minute, Katsumi Yusa scored the second goal for the home side. Sony Nordy later confirmed all 3 points scoring the third goal for Mohun Bagan in the 85th minute.

Sanjay Sen made two changes in the starting lineup from the Derby match. Bikramjit Singh came back to the starting lineup in place of Souvik Chakraborty and Jeje Lalpekhlua came in place of an injured Balwant Singh.

Mohun Bagan looked positive in their approach from the very first minute of the game. They were attacking more and constantly kept a pressure on the Salgaocar defense. Salgaocar too attacked in numbers and often imposed threat on the home team’s defensive third. The game was entertaining as it was an end to end stuff.

The first half ended in 0-0 tie as neither of the teams managed to take their chances in the final-third. But both the teams displayed an attacking brand of football.

Denson Devadas broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Sony Norde floated a curling free-kick from 30 yards away. Bello headed the ball which fell inside the penalty box. Denson tapped in the ball which went inside owing to a poor goalkeeping by Subrata Paul.

Minutes later Darryl Duffy went ahead and attempted a shot which was somehow kept away by Debjit Majumder resulting in a corner. Mohun Bagan defenders failed to clear their lines from the corner as Augustin Fernandes restored parity from the Douhou Pierre’s assist. The game became extremely exciting after the equalizing goal.

Mohun Bagan did not lose heart after conceding the goal. Instead, they kept on attacking and looked desperate to find a winner. Their efforts paid them dividend in the 70th minute. Katsumi Yusa took advantage of Salgaocar’s lackluster defending and scored an easy tap in.

In the 85th minute Sony Norde scored the final goal for his team. He singlehandedly dribbled past two defenders and attempted a long range shot which resulted in a screamer of a goal.

Mohun Bagan moves ahead in the league table with 24 points from 11 games. They are placed at the top of the league table convincingly with 4 points lead and a game in hand.