Kolkata: After Mohammedan Sporting Football Club signed eight members of the Bengal’s Santosh trophy winning team and Dipanda Dicka, who was the highest goal scorer of the I-League 2016-17 season, it was widely expected that this will be the year that will bring back the club all it’s glory days of the past.
However, they didn’t get off to a good start as they lost their opening match of the Calcutta Football League against Patha Chakra.
The defence led by captain Rana Gharami failed to sustain the timely attacks of the opposition wingers, as the team succumbed to a 4-2 loss against minnows Patha Chakra.
Cameroonian striker, Dicka however, lived up to his reputation of being a prolific goalscorer, as he netted a brace, the second of which was from a beautiful free-kick in the 67th minute, once again showing why he is so highly rated in the Indian football circuit.
However, even his efforts could not inspire the team to a victory as he fought nearly a lone battle without any support from his peers.
Patha took the lead in the match, when defender Pronit Lama in an attempt to clear a loose ball in the 36th minute, hit the face of opposition player Joel Sunday, to send the ball flying into the net.
Sporting conceded another in 58th minute and the defence was at fault again. Babon Das sent a ball flying in from a corner which the defenders failed to clear and the ball fell into the path of Monotosh who headed to the ball home to make the score 2-0.
With pressure building up the Black Panthers started showing signs of a comeback.
Dicka scored two goals in the space of four minutes, courtesy some brilliant play by the Sporting players to level the scores.
However, fate will not have it as Mohammedan Sporting conceded two goals in the next 13 minutes to shatter all hopes of winning the match.
Babon Das was declared the MoM for his two goals and one assists in the match.
Meanwhile, Dicka’s great form and goal scoring knack will be a huge boost for another Kolkata Giants, Mohun Bagan who have signed the former Shillong Lajong player for the upcoming I-League season.
Mohammedan Sporting club next play Tollygunge Agragami in the CFL and will look to get back to winning ways as soon as possible if they are to challenge for the title this season.