Kokata: Mohun Bagan registered their seventh win of the Calcutta Football League beating Peerless SC 2-1 with goals from Nikhil Kadam and Kamo at the Mohun Bagan ground on Monday.
After arch-rivals East Bengal had failed to win their match against Mohammedan Sporting, succumbing to their first draw of the campaign, the Mariners took the field knowing that a win would not only propel them to the top of the table but will also close down the gap between them and their arch-rivals. Their early attacks showed just how much they longed for this win.
Despite several attacks, Bagan failed to score and needed that one moment of brilliance from Nikhil Kadam in the 32nd minute to break the deadlock. The former Mumbai FC man ran from behind the defence line to score a beauty from a Kamo free-kick.
But their joy was short-lived as Peerless equalised just minutes later in the 39th minute through Dodoz, who scored from Francis’ pass to level things up as the first half drew to an end.
The second half saw Bagan attack in the same manner, but lacked form in the final third, failing to test the Peerless goalkeeper. Scorer Nikhil was soon replaced by Azharuddin Mallick in the 57th minute as the Mariners looked for inspiration in the attacking third.
It turned out to be wonderful substitution as Azharuddin drew a foul in the very next minute, which led to a penalty. His wonderful run split up the opposition defence forcing Sukhwinder Singh to tackle him.
Kamo duly scored from the spot in the 62nd minute to bring up the win for the Green and Maroon brigade and take them to the top of the table.
Taking about the much controversial penalty, Bagan coach Shankarlal Chakraborty said, “First I will have a good look at the reply and then comment about it, as from the position where I stand it is impossible to comment.”
Interestingly Bagan had earlier made an official complaint to the IFA in regards to the CFL coaches being biased towards East Bengal, after the latter was awarded a penalty in their match against Patha Chakra, while Bagan were denied one from a similar position just a game prior to that.
Mohun Bagan player loans player to the ISL
Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan have decided to send U-23 Indian international Sarthak Golui to ISL club FC Pune City on a season-long loan.
Bagan also in the process became the first I-League team to loan a player to the cash-rich league. Sarath, is considered to be one of the best youth prospect in Indian football, and has already shown early signs of greatness.