New Delhi: Mohun Bagan made it five wins in as many matches and inflicted further misery on Mahindra United whose disappointing league form added another chapter at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in a 10th round I-League encounter.
The win takes Bencherifa’s boys to the second spot while Mahindra continue to languish in the ninth spot.
Mohun Bagan had two changes to their side as they brought on Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Shylo Malswamtulunga on the two flanks for the injured Ishfaq Ahmed and James Singh Senior.
Mahindra United left out striker Chidi Edeh and played midfielder Douhou Pierre upfront with Sushil Kumar. Harpreet Singh came in for D.Ravanan and Sukhwinder partnered Sushant Matthew in the middle.
It was the visitors who started better and caught Mohun Bagan defence off guard as Steven Dias made a darting run on the right to pull back for Pradeep whose final shot sailed over the bar despite having an open goal to aim at.
Mahindra did have some good possession in the early stages and looked to make forays into the rival half but Bagan came back and found their feet.
A Peter Odafe throw-in from the left was flicked towards Malswamtulunga by Masih who unleashed a shot which fell for Baretto. Harpreet Singh’s alertness warded of the danger as he ably blocked the Brazilian’s shot.
It was throw-in again but for the Red Devils. Bagan custodian Sangram Mukherjee came off his line while Masih cleared the ball which went as far as Pradeep whose shot was saved by Peter Odafe who stood at the goalline. Peter Odafe cleared all the danger for his side as all the through balls were cut out.
Baretto got in the thick of things as he cut inside for a fierce right footer which went inches over the bar from 20 yards. The very next minute, a Marcos Pereira flag-kick was met by Lal Kamal Bhowmick on the edge of the box whose shot ballooned over.
Another flag-kick for Mohun Bagan saw defender N.Manju have a free header with Lamine Tamba being found wanting in the defence. Sangram Mukherjee had another nervous moment when he came out with Sushil heading the ball on the path of Douhou.
The veteran goalkeeper dived to his right and got his fingertips to the ball and conceded a corner around the half hour mark.
Lal Kamal’s long ball to Baretto could have almost got the Brazilian in an one-on-one situation had it not been for the alertness of left back Debabrata Roy.
In the 39th minute, Bagan took a shot corner and Malswamtulunga’s sent in a dipping ball into the box which went straight to the feet of Baretto but the latter couldn’t connect it well.
Towards the end of the first session, the Green and Maroon brigade upped the tempo. Baretto’s ball to Rakesh Masih into the box was cleared in time by Harpreet Singh. The Punjab defender once again saved Mahindra as he blocked Bhaichung’s shot which looked set to go in.
Mohun Bagan started the second half from where the left as they surged ahead thanks to skipper Bhaichung Bhutia’s left footer from inside the box.
Lal Kamal Bhowmick’s ball from the left to Bhaichung wasn’t well controlled by the veteran striker under pressure from Harpreet Singh. The ball hit Lamine Tamba and before any Mahindra defender could show the reflexes to clear, the Bagan No. 14 coolly slotted it in.
Six minutes later, Marcos Pereira’s sent the ball into the box from left which was cleared in time by Debabrata especially Bhaichung and Malswamtulunga lurking in. Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira brought on Chidi Edeh to spur things on for his side.
Bhaichung flicked the ball for Baretto whose right footer went over the bar. Baretto could have doubled the lead around the hour mark as his lob missed the target by not much.
The Jeepmen’s best chance to equalise came when substitute Chidi crossed the ball for Sushil who hit it straight at Sangram Mukherjee and even off the rebound couldn’t find the back of the net. The Indian international held his head in disbelief and so did the Mahindra bench.
Steven Dias’ square pass for Paresh Shivalkar couldn’t fetch anything for his side as Habibur Rahman conceded the corner. At the other end, Deepak Mandal got past Steven Dias and NP Pradeep and his shot was well collected by Subashish Chowdhury at the near post.
Douhou shot from 20 yards and it went wide in the 84th minute. Mohun Bagan put their men behind the ball and surged ahead at any given opportunity.
The likes of Marcos Pereira, who earned the Man of the Match award and Rakesh Masih were seen all over the field initiating fresh attacks.
The match ended and Mahindra United have no clue why their finishing has been poor. With this form, surely they have a tough task ahead facing defending champions Dempo SC. Mohun Bagan’s resurgence has been outstanding and the credit must be given to coach Karim Bencherifa.
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