New Delhi: Mohun Bagan won for the 10th consecutive game in the I-League after a 1-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata despite being second best for long periods in the match in which Mohammedan wasted quite a few decent chances.
Karim Bencherifa started with the same eleven that beat Sporting Clube de Goa last week while Mohammedan had one change in their side with young Suraj Mondal starting at the expense of the injured Sovan Chakraborty.
The first chance of the game fell to Ishfaq Ahmed who after a good run on the left side sent in a powerful right footed shot but Mohammedan keeper Naseem Akhtar did well to save on the near post.
Mohun Bagan took the lead from a Peter Odafe long throw in the 14th minute; Odafe’s throw was well won by Masih and fell for Barreto who setup James Singh just outside the penalty area.
James’s shot took a huge deflection off the feet of Gurpreet Singh and went into the back of the net.
Mohammedan lost a bit of their early discipline as Bagan were having a good spell and were looking likely to get the second goal.
Goalscorer James could have had an assist but his cross was headed straight to Naseem Akhtar by Barreto.
Mohammedan who started the game in 11th place were desperate for some sort of a result so they started to create a few chances as Okoro and Suraj Mondal tried their luck from distance.
In the other end Barreto made a brilliant run on the left flank and played a good pass for Ishfaq but the latter’s shot was straight at the keeper.
However, it was Mohammedan who started to have more possession and also nearly scored when Suraj Mondal got up early to head Okoro’s cross but his header failed to test Sangram.
Suraj Mondal then made a brilliant run into the box and played the ball to Okoro but the Mohammedan skipper failed to hit the target.
Mohammedan’s best chance of the half came in the first half injury time when Mohammedan won a free kick in a dangerous position on the left side.
Adebayo’s free kick found Sheikh Azim free in the box but Azim could only head the ball over the bar. Mohammedan began the second half very much like they ended the first as they kept creating chances but couldn’t convert any of them.
First the much impressive Suraj Mondal tried his luck again from long range but couldn’t hit the target and then Goutam Thakur’s cross from the right side wasn’t attacked by any Mohammedan player.
Mohun Bagan, though always seemed to have a chance on the break and they nearly scored in the 57th minute when James sent in an inviting ball into the area but Bhaichung couldn’t direct the ball towards the goal.
Two minutes later, Bagan made another good move as Barreto and Ishaq exchanged passes before releasing James on the right and then James’s cross was cleverly left by Bhaichung for Barreto but the Brazilian’s effort was well blocked by Wasim Feroz.
Five minutes later Mohammedan went close from another indirect free kick as Sangram did well to stop Suraj Mondal from close range.
Mohammedan kept winning the second balls but their final pass and finish was lacking.
Shabbir Ali brought on some fresh legs as Prasanta Chakraborty replaced the unimpressive Goutam Thakur but Okoro was still looking like their only hope for a goal.
And it was Okoro’s low cross across the face of goal that won Mohammedan a corner. From the resulting corner, Eugene Gray got a great chance to score from close range but his shot was saved easily by Sangram.
Mohammedan were running out of time so Shabbir Ali brought on striker Vimal Pariyar in place of Jothi Kumar but it couldn’t change their fortunes in front of goal.
In the end Mohun Bagan held on and registered their first win over Mohammedan this season.
This result moves Mohun Bagan back to the top while Mohammedan remain at 11th place three points behind 10th placed Chirag United.
Goalscorer: James Singh 14’
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