Comeback win shows Bagan’s desire to stay relevant
Mohun Bagan came back to beat Abahani Dhaka and notch up their first points of the 2017 AFC Cup. Goals from Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh, that came two minutes off each other on either side of half-time, were buttressed by a solo effort from Sony Norde after Jonathan Brown had put the visitors ahead.
After two group E games, Mohun Bagan have three points, the same as Maziya of Maldives. Leaders Bengaluru FC have six after beating Maziya 1-0 away on Tuesday. Abahani have none from two games. One team will qualify from the group.
Four players were rested from the team that knocked the ball around with confidence asking Bengaluru FC on Saturday asking questions the I League cham pretty, Mohun Bagan looked pedestrian. But they kept trying and in the first minute of first half stoppage time, Balwant found Norde who set it up Jeje to fire a left-foot volley and make it 1-1.
From close Balwant then pro to a lay-up from Katsumi Yusa that gave goalie Sahidul Alam no chance. It was exactly the start Bagan needed to the second half and they held on despite a couple of close shaves. Norde’s flourish in the 87th minute beating three score, not only ensured Bengaluru FC feel the heat but also capped off a strong second half show that was proof more of Bagan’s desire to win than their strength in depth.
The visiting team forced six corner-kicks in the first 11 minutes and scored in the 21st minute when an unmarked slotted home Mohammed Ziban’s cut-back.
With Abahani Dhaka playing a back five and Rayhan Hasan slotted in front of the central defensive trio, it was obvious what they wanted from this game. For most of the first half, it seemed Brown’s goal would be enough. But Jeje and Balwant’s goal typified Mohun Bagan players’ desire to stay relevant in Asia.
JOHNSON LATE STRIKE WINS IT FOR BENGALURU
A John Johnson goal from what was to be the last chance of away with all three points in a dominant show against Maziya Sports and Recreation Club.
A humid afternoon saw the Blues outplay their opponents, creating multiple chances without a goal to show for, only for the defender to score in the dying moments to come away with a 1-0 result.
Four changes were made to the Blues’ side that took on Mohun Bagan last weekend with skipper Sunil Chhetri, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Lenny Rodrigues handed starts while Salam Ranjan Singh replaced Nishu Kumar in defence. The Blues controlled the game but had to wait till the final seconds for the winner.
GIANT-KILLER THAKKER STUNS HEMRAJANI
Priyaan Thakker turned giant killer when he shocked third seed Raayan Hemrajani to storm into the boys’ under-11 champi onship round in the Gsc-syska Open Squash.
On an action packed day Thakker, who stunned second seed Vedant Chheda in the quar ters, recovered after losing two games to snatch a 7-11, 0-11, 11-9 11-4, 11-2 win and set up a summit clash with top seed Anshuman