New Delhi: Mohun Bagan have booked their berth in the round of four and set-up a clash against arch rivals East Bengal as they managed to beat Air India 2-1 only thanks to a refereeing blunder.
The Kolkata club, finishing level on points with Vasco SC, progressed due to a superior number of goals scored. Air India finished third in Group D and were undone by the referee.Vasco SC had won their game earlier in the day beating Oil India 1-0.
There was a 35 minute delay before the match could actually kick-off as the organisers couldn’t manage to get Air India to the Barasat Stadium on time. Mohun Bagan made two changes with Jose Barreto and Shylo Malswamtulunga being back with Lalwampuia and James Singh Senior on their way out. Air India started with Samson Singh and Soccor Velho upfront.
The first chance of the game went to Mohun Bagan as Mohnraj’s cross as headed over the bar by skipper Bhaichung Bhutia as he outjumped Chukuwama Udofia.
From thereon, Mohun Bagan were guilty of conceding needless free-kicks and gave as many as five throw-ins inside the first 15 minutes; a crime for which they luckily went unpunished. One such throw-in went over the entire crowd bounced in front of a jittery Sangram Mukherjee who did enough to give away a flag-kick.
The 13th minute saw Jose Barreto’s cross from the right create some momentary confusion in the Air India box which saw the ball fall for Bhaichung. Udofia’s timely clearance saved it early for the Mumbai club.
Air India midfield trio of Michael Tayo, Surojit Roy and Gouranga Biswas did well to keep their opposite numbers in check and didn’t them dominate in the middle of the park.
Marcos Pereira, under pressure from Michael Tayo, lost possession at half way line to Surojit Roy. The Air India left winger ran unchallenged and released Soccor Velho on the right. The striker’s right footer found the back of the net and Barasat was silenced. Anandavasan couldn’t come out in time to narrow the angle while Mohanraj was found wanting.
Anandavasan committed a foul and the resultant free-kick at the half hour mark by Samson Singh came off the post.
Then came Mohun Bagan as they had three good chances in the space of two minutes. Malswamtulunga and Ishfaq interchanged their positions. A long ball by Deepak Mandal saw Bhaichung heading it for Malswamtulunga whose shot went over the bar. Habibur Rahman’s cross from the right towards the far post was headed in by Barreto for Bhaichung, who couldn’t connect his bicycle kick. A fine play between Ishfaq, Barreto, Malswamtulunga and Bhaichung saw the Indian international miss the opportunity.
Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa substituted Malswamtulunga for Lal Kamal Bhowmick. The move eventually did pay dividends. Ishfaq Ahmed’s ball from the right found Lal Kamal whose pass to Bhaichung was turned and struck by the Sikkimese Sniper. Air India custodian Arup Debnath got his fingers to it and thus, the ball hit the post instead of going in.
The very next minute Lal Kamal Bhowmick scored from 22 yards after Marcos Pereira found him in some space.
Mohun Bagan were on fire at this moment and almost everything went their way. Lal Kamal’s long pass from his own half was chested by Barreto and take on volley but it went wide much to the disappointment of Bagan bench.
Napoleon Singh committed a foul on Barreto on top of the box and Marcos Pereira’s cool finish put Mohun Bagan ahead at the hour mark.
Air India Coach Bimal Ghosh made some attacking changes by bringing on Subhash Singh and Kailiash Patil. Mohun Bagan survived a horrendous moment and they should have only the referee to thank.
Anandavasan handled the ball inside the area under pressure from Subhash Singh. The linesman Arjunan saw to it that the Mumbai club got a penalty. Interestingly, there was no card shown to Anandavasan!
Ravinder Singh stepped in and beat Sangram Mukherjee but referee Bose disallowed it and asked it to be retaken. The reason being that Mohunraj and Michael Tayo making their moves into the box before Ravinder took his shot. Ravinder missed it on the retake and Mohun Bagan couldn’t believe their luck.
Air India did press on in the later stages but the experience of Mohun Bagan was too much for them.
Goalscorers Bagan: Lal Kamal Bhowmick (53rd min) and Marcos Pereira (59th min)
Goalscorer Air India: Soccor Velho (26th min)
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