ANOTHER FAILED ATTEMPT OF BAGAN IN TODAY’S DERBY: EB – 1, MB – 1

Webdesk, TNI Kolkata, 23rd January, 2016: After devouring their Mohun Bagan 4-0 in the last CFL derby this season, the 3rd round encounter of the 9th I-league ended 1-1, both the goals being scored in the 2ndhalf of the match. The match being hosted by Mohun Bagan athletic club was flanked by 80000 odd supporters from the either club although did not raise to its Monty of expectations since the Mohun Bagan being the better team couldn’t take the advantage of East Bengal team who lacked the edge on pen and paper. Although the match stated with high expectations from the Mohun Bagan supporters, the East Bengal Team started the match on their toes and grabbed the lion’s share of the possession during the first half. Mohun Bagan defended well with the likes of their new recruit Brazilian Luciano, who took the utmost care of Ranty Martins. Do dong Hyun, the Korean Mid-fielder took some chances but the limelight of the half was the 23-year-old native NE boy Bikash Jairu who tore the field apart with his pinpoint passes, cheetah speed and most importantly, through his perilous corners. The second half started with a bit laid back approach of both the teams until a cross from Bikash Jairu fell in mid-air for Ranty Martins. The talismanic striker did no error in volleying it in the back of the net past the young Bagan goalkeeper Debjit Ghosh who didn’t have much to do in the 68th minute. Bagan pressed the pedal hard after this goal and tried to increase possession. Their hard work did come into effect 10 minutes later when Cornel Glen, the new Bagan recruit this season scored from a Sony Norde Corner through the hands of the East Bengal Goalkeeper T.P.Rehenesh. East Bengal coach did what all it takes to gift a better play on the field although with the absence of key players such as Bernard Mendy and Cavin Lobo, but it is evidently clear that Mohun Bagan lost a golden opportunity to beat their arch-rivals with 4 foreigners and with a half-line that will send chills to all the clubs in this I-league 2015-2016. As it stands now, Mohun Bagan has fetched 7 points from 3 matches whereas East Bengal has 5 from similar outings.