Mohun Bagan AC left it late but secured full three points against Chirag United Kerala in their first “home” match of the I-League today at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan.
Early on in the first half Jose Ramirez Barreto gave a fine through ball to Sunil Chetri but he was not able to reach the pass. Otherwise a boring encounter where neither of the teams really impressed and the both teams could have done much better.
The match came alive in the 2nd half with Chirag United Kerala putting the early pressure on Mohun Bagan with a flurry of attacks. However it was Mohun Bagan who opened the scoring after a goalkeeping error by the Chirag United Kerala keeper was not able to hold onto a what seems a harmless shot and it went back to Odafa Okalie who made no mistake with the finish and drew first blood for Mohun Bagan in the 50th minute. In the 58th minute Odafa however limped off the field with a groin injury and was substituted.
Chirag United Kerala hit back through a strike from their Australian striker Michel Matriccani in the 67th minute. Jagdeep Singh centred the ball from the left. Michel received the ball on the top of the box and finished it past the onrushing Sangaram Mukehrjee who was able to get just a hand on it.
Just when it looked like Chirag United Kerala might have done enough to take 1 point from the match Mohun Bagan earned a free kick right on the edge of the box when Jose Barreto was brought down in the 84th minute. Jose Barreto himself stepped up to take the free kick and placed the ball perfectly over the wall and beyond the goalkeeper’s right hand to the side netting the goal much to the celebrations of the home fans.
Mohun Bagan held on till the end even as Barreto himself left the field after suffering an injury. Mohun Bagan having used all their substitutions had to see out the last few minutes with only 10 men.
A close encounter in the end one can say that it was a hard fought win for Mohun Bagan who would be happy to play away from Kolkata next, having won both their first two matches. Chirag United Kerala on the other hand would be disappointed not to have secured at least a point from the match.
MATCH STATS AVAILABLE AT
http://www.chrispd.de/wordpress/2011/10/21/i-league-201112-results-stats/?match=10
(AIFF Press Release)