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Mohammedan Sporting stunned by Tollygunge Agragami in CFL

Calcutta Football League action between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Tollygunge Agragami. (Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club)
Calcutta Football League action between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Tollygunge Agragami. Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club

Mohammedan Sporting Club suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Tollygunge Agragami on Saturday at the Calcutta Premier Division ‘A’ at Barasat Stadium.

While a draw might have been a fair result from a game which provided numerous chances at both ends of the field, Tollygunge may feel they deserved the three points as they showed plenty of desire and determination after going down early in the match.

Philip Adjah Tetteh put Mohammedan SC ahead as early as the 2nd minute but Tollygunge hit back through Lago Dagbo Bei (31′ & 52′) to seal the points.

Going into the match, Mohammedan SC technical director Raghunath Nandi made three changes to the side that beat East Bengal earlier this week by handing starts to Adjah, Prosenjit Chakraborty and Shanid Valan at expense of Princewill Emeka, Satyam Shrama and Lancine Toure, who was suspended for the game.

Mohammedan Sporting began the game attacking with intent and it just took them two minutes to take the lead when Adjah slotted from Dipendu Dowary’s corner to make it 1-0.

The goal gave Mohammedan SC a morale boost as they began pushing up in numbers. A few good chances fell for Adjah and Dowary but they lacked the killer finish inside the box.

At the other end, Tollygunge pulled level just past the half hour mark when Lago scored from Bayi Kamo’s pass in the 31st minute.

Thereafter, both sides had a few chances in closing minutes but couldn’t convert as the scoreline remained one-goal-a-piece going into the breather.

Possession remained in Mohammedan SC’s favour in the second-half and they created the first close chance in the 47th minute when Adjah’s shot from close missed the target by a whisker.

While Mohammedan Sporting pressed high up, Tollygunge managed to take the lead against the run of the play at the other end as Lago head past Arup Debnath from Rahul Baishanb’s cross in the 52nd minute.

Having conceded, Mohammedan SC didn’t take charge, allowing Tollygunge to get into the match and grow in confidence with each passing minute.

Raghu Nandi introduced Princewill for Dowary at the hour mark to show the club’s intentions by bringing in a striker for midfielder.

Even with that added fire power which included Snehasish Dutta towards the end, Mohammedan SC still didn’t test Tollygunge goalkeeper Maidul Islam.

Towards the closing stages, Bazie Armand looked like he was brought down inside the box but referee Uttam Sarkar waved play on despite penalty protests from Mohammedan SC.

The result meant, Mohammedan Sporting Club remain on the forth spot with 16 points from 9 games and would take on newly crowned champions Mohun Bagan AC on September 18 at Saltlake Stadium.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)