Mohun Bagan AC's Dipanda Dicka celebrating his goal against Churchill Brothers SC in the Hero Super Cup 2018 on April 1, 2018. (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
Match 3 of the Hero Super Cup 2018 saw Hero I-League giants Mohun Bagan AC move to the quarterfinals defeating Churchill Brothers SC 2-1.
Mohun Bagan came from behind through a brace from their Cameroon forward Dipanda Dicka (45’ + 2’; 69’) to ensure their quarterfinal spot in the tournament. For Churchill Brothers SC it was Willis Plaza who scored in the 30th minute. The tournament is being played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
The game began on a slow note with most of the first half being played around the midfield. There were a few attempts to score on either side but either of the teams failed to find the back of the net. It was only in the 30th minute when Churchill Brothers Willis Plaza scored from a calculated pass from Nicholas Fernandes, the Goan outfit earned a crucial lead in the game.
A series of attacks from Mohun Bagan thereafter kept Churchill Brothers on their toes, but a reckless tackle from Nicholas on Mohun Bagan’s SK Faiaz helped the Bengal club earn a crucial penalty during the injury time. Dipanda Dicka (45’ + 2’) who took the penalty shot ensured an equalizer for his team scoring on a rebound from a poor collection effort from Ricardo Cardozo of Churchill Brothers FC Goa.
The second half began with Mohun Bagan pressing hard on Churchill Brothers from the very first minute. A real opportunity came their way when Faiaz attempted a shot at the goal in the 48th minute but failed to give the Bengal team a lead.
Thereafter Mohun Bagan made several attempts to score but were kept at bay from taking the lead in the game. It was only in the 69th minute when a free kick from Cameron Watson and header from Akram followed by a brilliant finish from Dipanda Dicka gave the Bengal club a lead in the game.
The rest of the game saw Churchill Brothers trying to score an equalizer while Mohun Bagan trying to capitalize on their lead. The game came to an end with Mohun Bagan ensuring a quarterfinal spot for them defeating Churchill Brothers SC 2-1.
Dipanda Dicka of Mohun Bagan was adjudged the Hero of the Match.
(AIFF Media)