Vasco: Mohun Bagan kept their slender hopes of winning the league title — atleast coach Sankarlal Chakraborty thinks so — alive with a dominant 2-0 victory over Indian Arrows at the Tilak Maidan here on Tuesday.
Forwards Aser Dipanada Dicka (26th) and Akram Moghrabi (41st) found the net, to take Bagan’s point tally to 27 points after 16 games.
They are two behind arch-rivals East Bengal but the maximum points they can reach is 33, which is just one more than what Minerva Punjab have accumulated after the same no of games.
Coach Chakraborty however still have his hopes high on the fortune of wheels soon turning their way. “Mathematically we are still in the title race,” he said at the post-match conference.
For the former Bagan’s assistant Chakraborty to give light to his dreams not just the Mariners have to win the remaining two matches, but the front trio of East Bengal, Minerva Punjab and Neroca all have to lose their respective games.
“Nobody knows what results Minerva (Punjab), NEROCA or East Bengal will have. it is not in our hands,” he added.
If one takes a look at the points table, Minerva lead the pack and are on 32 points, just one shy of what Bagan can actually accumulate if they win the taking two. The ‘Warriors’ have equal no of matches remaining.
Second placed Neroca are on 31 points and have a game in hand against East Bengal. Their win will certainly crush out the hopes of Mariners.
East Bengal on third are on 29 points from 16 matches and is possibly the attire and final title-contender this campaign.
But former Air India player Chakraborty has eyes set on the trophy. “We have to take three points from each points. Then let’s see,” he signed off.
Dicka leads golden boot chart
Often accused of disappearing in big matches, Dipanda Dicka has now seemed to have adjusted himself to the situation at Bagan and is delivering the goods. Although later it is of course better late than never and Bagan’s officials will breathe a sigh of relief after seeing his late blossom.
The Cameroonian now has 12 goals to his name and currently leads the goal-scoring charts this season. He is certain to win the golden boot with second placed Chencho Gyeltshen almost half-way line behind.
At Shillong Lajong he had scored 10 goals in the previous season, but has now increased the writty twice and counting.