Kolkata: Mohammedan Sporting began their 2nd division I-League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Jamshedpur reserves at the Barasat Stadium here on Wednesday.
Fielding an all Indian team, the Black Panthers got off to a flying start crowding the opposition defence with innumerable attacks, keeping Jamshedpur custodian Harpreet Singh busy at the post.
They were eventually rewarded in the 36th minute when Debasish Pradhan receiving the ball 25 yards away from the goal, rifled one that sailed past Singh to give the hosts a deserved lead.
1-0 up, Md Sporting kept up the tempo even as Jamshedpur found it hard to move the ball into the other half. But when it looked like the visitors have gained some momentum after the Strom around them calmed, Mohammedan Sporting struck again.
Skipper Jitendra Murmu leaped above all to head in a Tirthankar Sarkar corner and give the home side a two goal cushion going into the break.
The attacking spree continued as play resumed with Md Sporting looking the favourites to add a third. They did build up a no of chances but failed to convert. It didn’t matter much in the end though as Jamshedpur bowed down in defeat. The visitors looked more content in nor conceding a third goal.
Jamshedpur played on the counter, resorting to absorbing the attacked that Md Sporting piled up on their half. They did eventually score a consolation goal in the 85th minute, through Vijay Kumar who buried a long throw past the Mohammedan Sporting goalie.
After failing to reach the final of the 2nd division league last season which also hindered their entry into the I-League, coach Biswajit Bhattacharya will certainly be happy with the three points coming from the very first game.
The Black Panthers next host Chennaiyin FC reserves in their next match on Saturday, March 17.