I League: Leaders Chennai rally, hold Mohan Bagan
KOLKATA: Just when it seemed a brilliant effort from Sony Norde would fetch Mohun Bagan full points and consign Chennai City FC to their first defeat of the season, the I-League leaders were saved by a man called Jesus whose goal helped them end Saturday’s game strongly.
Norde’s 50th minute effort, going past Edwin Vanspaul and Gourav Bora, and wrapping his right boot to a shot that swerved into the top corner, silenced critics who have questioned his fitness and a long injury lay-off.
Having controlled the match till the final quarter, Bagan paid for their exuberance when Chennai central defender Roberto Eslava found Nestor Jesus with a raking pass between leftback Abhishek Ambekar, who looked committed to moving up, and central defender Lalchhawankima to make it 1-1 in the 82nd minute.
Dalraj Singh’s woeful performance against Churchill Brothers relegated the central defender to the bench, his place being taken by Lalchhawnkima and with Eze Kingsley and they ensured that Chennai City play down the middle. That contributed to the visitors not getting a clear look on goal till the 74th minute when Sandro Rodrigues’ header crashed into the upright.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Chennai severely tested Bagan keeper Sankar Roy and could have even gleaned full points had Rodrigues’ effort not hit into the goalframe and an Edwin Vanspaul piledriver not been too close to the shot-stopper. Chennai City moved to 17 points from seven games and Mohun Bagan to nine from six.
“One mistake cost us full points,” said Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty.
LAJONG FACE NEROCA
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC face NEROCA FC here on Sunday. Both Shillong Lajong and Neroca FC have won just one game each so far this season.