Mohun Bagan goalie who played against Pele dead

KOLKATA: Former Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Shibaji Banerjee died here on Sunday evening after a heart attack. He was in his 60s and is survived by wife and son. Banerjee had a history of heart problems but was a regular at Mohun Bagan’s games and was a member of the club’s technical committee.

Banerjee played in Mohun Bagan’s goal when New York Cosmos came calling with Pele in 1977. The match ended 2-2 and Banerjee pulled off a string off saves including a Pele free-kick.

Famous in his pink shirt and for saving penalty-kicks, Banerjee played for Mohun Bagan for 11 years. He did not concede a goal against arch-rivals East Bengal for four years, from 1977.

He was instrumental in helping Mohun Bagan emerge joint winners of the 1978 IFA Shield with Ararat Yerevan of the former USSR. That match too ended 2-2.