Bhaichung declared the Player of the year '08!

Bhaichung Bhutia, the Mohun Bagan AC and the Indian skipper, today was ajudged the player of the year for the year 2008 by the AIFF. Earlier this year, under the captaincy of Bhutia, India won the AFC Challange cup beating Tajikistan 4-1 and earned the right to play in the Asian Cup after a long wait of 24 years.

Bagan also won the Federation Cup this season and the Calcutta Football League and are hot on pursuit of the I League standing in the second spot.

Questioned about his objectives, he said his primary objective now is to win the I League for Mohun Bagan. He attributed the success in both the tournament to the team and praised others for the support he received.

Mohun Bagan rule Futsal Friendsy

Futsal frenzy gripped the city, when MC Dowell's Futsal Friendsy hit Kolkata. The National Final was held today at the Mohun Bagan ground. Kolkata team and the Kerala team made it to the finals of the tournament, where they met the Mohun Bagan futsal team. The Mohun Bagan consisting of Henry Gangte, Rino Antao, Lalram Luaha, Tapan Maity, S. James Jr. beat the Kerala team 3-1 in the Final. The 5 man a side tournament was held in nation wide scale an the champions from each region locked their horns in the city.

What was heartening to see was that even though it was not such an important occasion and only a 5 a side tournament, that also after a tiresome Fed Cup win, the whole team had turned up at the club ground. From Bhaichung, Barreto, Lalkamal, Lalam to the coaches and even the reserves.

Probably this is the team spirit Karim has been taking about and hope Bagan continue on their winning streak!

Mohun Bagan's 1911Shield victory the Lagaan in soccer!

Barreto might have put Mohun Bagan on top at the 13th Federation Cup, but the onus of giving the club its due on the big screen is on director Arunava Roychowdhury, better known as Arun Roy in Mumbai now. The director is all set to make a Bengali film titled Sulochona with the backdrop of Mohun Bagan being the first Asian team to have defeated a foreign team when they won the 1911 IFA Shield defeating East Yorkshire Regiment 2-1.

Rahul of Chirodini... Tumi Je Amar fame has already been cast in the film. Apart from many stage artistes, the cast also includes producer-distributor Arijit Dutta playing the crazed revolutionary. Though on the surface, this will be a sports film, the subtext has a deep patriotic flavour. Many still regard the day the match was won as the Independence Day of Bengali Football. Close to a lakh people had ferried in boats, travelled in overcrowded trams, buses and trains to watch the match. Reuters had reported that “the magnitude of the crowd was so large that the scorers and announcers couldn’t work. The scores were being broadcast in the form of kites in the sky”. The then Mohun Bagan team included Hiralal Mukherjee, Bhuti Sukul, Sudhir Chatterjee, Manmohan Mukherjee, Rajen Sengupta, Nilmadhav Bhattacharya, Kanu Roy, Habul Sarkar, Abhilash Ghosh, Bijoydas Bhaduri and Shibdas Bhaduri.

When the barefoot Mohun Bagan players had defeated the British, cries of Vande Mataram had also rent the air. For the record, the next time Mohun Bagan won their shield was in 1947. Talking about the film, Dutta says, “This is a Bengali version of Lagaan. The ending is superb. Made on a budget of Rs 1.5 crore, we are doing everything in our capacity to market the film globally. Phhite bandha football shuddhu anano hochhe.”

While art director Indranil Ghosh has been roped in to recreate those times, Mokam (which recently scored an anthem for Maradona’s visit) will compose the film’s theme song. Says Mayukh of Mokam, “Scoring for Maradona’s track was a dream come true. We had had a word with the director two years ago on this project to compose a chorus with polyphonic sound.” A city fashion school has also been roped in to design the costumes. The portions of the film showing the matches will be shot in Murshidabad simply because back then, there were no stadia the way one has in Kolkata now. The film releases on July 29 (the same day the match was won in 1911) next year with a football match between the cast and a second division team from England!

A Post Fed Cup victory Report!

The club authority has officially declare their disinclination towards playing in the IFA Shield. The coach and the club officials have decided to give the players some rest so that they can start afresh in the second half of the I League. Karim cited that CFL took much away from the players and the team suffered at the beginning of the First Leg of the I League and so he doesn't want to repeat the mistake. However, he clarified that, "We are not playing the IFA Shield not because it is of any less importance. We would have played, had the calender been more kind of the players." Not even a gap of fifteen days have been allowed between the Fed Cup an the IFA shield!
However, Bagan players and fans were all present at the club ground to hoist the club flag. Amongst others, Leaner Paes was present and to congratulate the Bagan players on winning the Federation Cup an to share the joy with the club of his childhood. He had come along before the Fed Cup kicked off, to wish Karim's boys for the tournament.


However, Karim while talking about his Fed Cup performance, praised Marcos Periera for rendering such invaluable service in the midfield and Karim said that had there been an award for the Man of the Tournament, Marcos would surely win it. Many had criticised Karim for signing the aged Marcos, but Karim maintained that he needed some one who could control the midfield and also be of strong physical build and Marcos was just it and he proved what he is capable of in the Fed Cup final against Dempo as he virtually busted the Dempo midfield single handed.


On Rakesh, he had previously state that Masih is an asset for the team and the young promising TFA recruit certainly live upto the coach's expectations as he controlled the midfield when he played in the midfield and then defended the Bagan fortress when Anand Vasan went out due to injury at the beginning of the derby match. He also defended quite well against Dempo in the final too. Karim has been laying stress on the unity of the team and his confidence in his young brigade along with his strategies have paid off so far for Bagan, as the Mariners bag the Calcutta Football League and the Federation Cup this season with still the half of the I league to go, in which Bagan are in the 2nd spot and as Karim said, with this team, he can only see moving forward.


A minute of silence for Sanjiv Jana! Amongst all the merry making, Bagan fans didnot forget to observe a minute's silence paying their respect to the departed Sanjiv Jana of Jaavpur, the young Bagan fan, who yesterday, before the match had started, fell from the second tier on the concrete below. Sanjiv was immeiately rushed to a nearby Nursing home and was kept on observation though his condition was critical. Club officials, Anjan Mitra, Swapan Sadhan Bose and Debashish Dutta and others visited the nursing home and provided a shoulder to the youth's family and as per sources, they even made a monetary payment to the family for the treatment, though sources claim, IFA also have contribute towards the treatment. However, the situation worsened an today morning, Sanjiv Bose passed away. The club president Swapan Sadhan Bose and Barreto dedicated the Fed Cup victory to Sanjiv and his family.

Mohun Bagan may not play IFA Shield!

After beating Dempo and winning the Fed Cup, Karim Bencharifa confessed in a press conference that he didnot have his eyes on the IFA shield. In fact, Bagan may altogether abstain from playing the tournament, because he said, "Our primary objective is to win the National League. Obviously there is nothing more important in India than winning the I League and since we are in a favourable position, we donot want to miss on the bigger opportunities" and by giving too much importance on the IFA shield, which though a national tournament of late, Karim doesnot want his team to give any slip ups in the I League.

He pointed out that, before the I League started, he had given much stress on the CFL and that had led to injury, fatigues to the key players at the beginning of the I League and the result was apparent in the first 5 matches of the I League.

Karim also said that his boys have been working real hard and for the Fed Cup, where they had to play 5 matches in a span of 9 days, they poured their heart out and its time to give them back something what they have earned, a good night's sleep and some rest.

However, the decision to drop from the IFA Shield has not yet been finalised as pointed out by Karim and the club officials and the coach in a meeting today will decide on the issue

Mohun Bagan win Federation Cup 2008

Not once, not twice, not even five times! Thirteen times Federation Champion! Mohun Bagan win the 30th Federation Cup 2008 today beating Dempo SC 1-0, courtesy a Jose Ramirez Barreto goal in the 68th minute of the match!

The Salt Lake Stadium today was draped in Green and Maroon flags as if expecting the favourites, Mohun Bagan AC to blow away 2004 champions Dempo SC and as a matter of fact, that is exactly what happened toay. Infact Bagan took sweet revenge of their defeat against Dempo in the 2004 Fed Cup final in Goa and that just made the moment all the more special.

Dempo boasted the best midfield in the country, starring Clifford Miranda, Climax Lawrence, Beto but Mohun Bagan it seemed caught the match by its neck and literally strangled Dempo for the entire 90 mins and won the Fed Cup quite convincingly.

Dempo can hard;y be said to have played any football today as Karim reading the game plan of Dempo deployed Marcos to tackle Beto. Marcos literally put Beto in a ball-tight container and succesfully cut of the supply line for the deadly striker Ranti, who fit of rage, committed an ugly foul, got the marching orders an then before leaving the field, slapped a photographer!

The entire match, Marcos worked tremendously in the midfield and to give him rightful company was Ishfaq Ahmed, the former Dempo man. Even Lalkamal played his heart out and Tulunga, after a long while was beautifully operating on the right flank.

The Defense was an impervious membrane, with Dipak and Masih in the Central defense and Habibur and Mohunraj on the two flanks. Though Dempo pressurised Mohunraj and got in with a few chances from the left, Sangram was ready to come off his line an block any shot that came his way.

Barreto was inexplicable today, playing balls with Tulunga, Puia, Ishfaq, Marcos and sending in balls with lovely foresight.

In the first half, Bagan started attacking right from the word go and did not let Dempo settle down even for a moment. Marcos kept a hard watch on Beto & Co. while Rakesh Masih and Dipak Mondal kept Ranti Martins quiet. Bagan created a few chances in the half but completely controlled the match and took it away from Dempo.

In the second half Mohun Bagan came out with a much stronger conviction to win the match and in the 68th minute, from a corner, Habibur headed the ball goalwards and Barreto punched a powerful shot to hit the top corner of the goal.

Video of the Goal against Dempo

Mohun Bagan even after scoring the goal didnot become too defensive but defended the goal well to win the Federation Cup.

Sangram stars as Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal to enter Fed Cup Final

If I had said Sangram needs to take a break, the Bagan custodian has made me to eat my own words. Bagan today beat East Bengal to enter the final of the 30th Federation Cup. Mohun Bagan won the match on penalties 6-4 to deny East Bengal and Sangram undoubtedly stood tall and saved Bagan from the blushes and sent East Bengal packing out of the tournament an thus dashing any of their hopes to win even a single silver...

The match was bound to be a high voltage match, as after a series of defeats at the handds of their rival, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal officials had declared that this was the match they would win and begin on their winning streak. The match started off with East Bengal the better and balanced side on paper compared to Bagan. But as they all say, derby match is different!

The match started off with East Bengal trying to make some head way, but soon Bagan earned a free on the left. Marcos sent in an inswinging free kick, across the face of the goal, which was left alone by everybody, even the keeper an the ball struck the upright and went off. A few minutes later, from a Marcos corner, Ishfaq headed a ball which again hit the upright. Barely a minute ha passe when Subrata Paul fumble an aerial ball an almost gave Ishfaq the chance to score. East Bengal then had one thing going thereway, Anan Vasan pulled his calf muscle an was taken off an Lalkamal was brought in his position. Rakesh Masih was stepped in his shoes and East Bengal got the opportunity to control the match. The remainder of the first half, East Bengal raised waves of attacks which were indiscremenately put down by Sangram, who came up with some stupendous saves and timely clearances coming off his line.

After half time, Bagan also started to pile on the pressure and it was end to end action and from one such attacks, East Bengal earned a free kick on the left. From the long free kick, Masih headed it clear, but it landed at the feet of Sanju Pradhan, who took a scorcher to beat Sangram, finally.

Bagan, without any surprises piled on more pressure and from another long free kick, Marcos found a leaping Barreto, who headed in magficently the equaliser.

Bagan again came too close to not to have scored, when Bhaichung found a free ball in the open and took a shot, which Subrata blocked some how and fell at the feet of the advancing Ishfaq Ahmed, who took a blinder on his run, which unfortunately rattled the woodwork, again.

Mean while Sangram was busy saving a few shots that came his way and he looked Confident!

The match gradually rolled into the first period of Extra time and and during the end of the first 15 mins, Chettri took a left footer, which was again blocked by the Bagan custodian.

An injured Bhaichung was replaced by Lalampuia, who almost at the end missed a glorious opportunity to score off a ree header!

The match then rolled into the Penalty Shoot outs!

Bagan scored all 6 of theirs, while Sangram blocked East Bengal's 3rd shot which was taken by Sunil Chettri!

Bagan will meet Dempo SC, who has beaten Churchill 2-0 to play in the Final!

Injured Bhaichung may miss Final!

An injured Bhaichung, was carried out on a stretcher as he lay writhing in pain during the first extra time of the match. It is the same injury that had kept him out of action for the past few months. Yesterday night when Bhaichung was asked about his condition, he said that an MRI has been conducted and he fears that the octor might ask him to take rest for a month!

Mean while in the first semi final between Churchill and Dempo, Kalu and Ranti of the two teams respectively, were knocked unconscious as they barged into each other and they have been admitted in a local nursing home and is in ICCU.

Mohun Bagan come back from behind to book a berth in the Semis

Vasco had won their match and move to 6 points from 3 matches while Air India stood on 4 points from 2 matches and Bagan on 3 points from their 2 matches. If Bagan had to advance to the semis, they had to win the match, while Air India needed a win too to advance to the Semis. whereas, a draw would see Vasco go through and play East Bengal. Mohun Bagan came from behind to win a berth for the semis, thanks to Lalkamal Bhowmick and Marcos Periera!

Bagan tried to force the issue and with Ishfaq and Mama and Karim seemed to have the intention of keeping the two flanks active. Bagan did come with a few attacks, but a counter attack from a spilled ball from Marcos, Soccor Velo of Air India rushed in from the left out and scored in the 25th minute. Bagan tried to comeback, but poor play by them saw them through to the end of the first half.

After the second half resumed, Mama was replaced by Lalkamal, and Bagan was rewarded handsomely with a goal. Lalkamal, received a ball from Marcos, and took a shot instantly from outside the penalty box and the keeper stretched in vein.

Minutes later Barreto was tackled from behind just outside the penalty box and Bagan was awarded with a free kick. Marcos took a shot over the head of the wall and the keeper unsighted by his own wall, committed himself on his wrong foot and that was enough to beat him and Marcos scored the second for Bagan in the 59th minute.

All Bagan had to do after this was to defend the lead, but the match had a late twist in the tail as Anand Vasan handled the ball inside his penalty box and Air India was awarded a penalty. The drama continued as Air India man Ravinder put the ball past Sangram, but the goal was over rule as he had taken the shot before the referee had blown his whistle. Ravinder took another penalty, same as the earlier one, this one Sangram saving! The score remained 2-1.

Bagan came close a few times, with Bhaichung and Barreto hitting the upright once each.Mohun Bagan will now meet East Bengal in the Semis and with a defense thus, the prospect for Bagan does not seem bright, but as they say, its a derby, its always 50-50, the team who plays better on that day will win.

However, few worries remain, as the Left back position is virtually non-existent with Mohunraj caught chasing the forwards most of the times and never in position to defend an attack. Probably Rahul Kumar could have been tried on, but that's a risk Karim rather not take and rely on the 19 year old an pray he comes back to his last year's perfromance. Sangram does not seem to confident under bar either and with the derby meeting in the semis, one is reminded of what happened last year and Sangram would surely be needed to pull up his socks if Mohun Bagan has to advance to the finals.

Bagan pay for taking Vasco lightly!

A shock? probably not! It was all apparent from the way Bagan played the match! With Jose Ramirez Barreto on the bench, the intentions were never clear for Bagan as Vasco, the team languishing at the bottom of the I League this season, stunned Bagan, the favourite for this tournament!

Barreto was kept out owing to some injury, but that prove costly as Bagan seemed listless and clueless in the first half and allowed an equally clueless Vasco to settle into the match and dictate terms and finally emerge victorious making the Group D of the Federation cup seem very interesting.

Bagan started off with Lalampuia and Bhutia upfront with Ishfaq and James manning the two flanks with Rakesh playing a defensive role and Marcos playing a maker's role but none were performing his own duty. Ishfaq and Marcos were happy sending in long balls for Lalam and Bhutia both of whom seemed "out".

The entire first half was fruitless for Bagan and allowed Vasco to settle in he match as they played much more ground football compared to the long balls played in by the Bagan players.

Barreto was introduced in the second half and the difference was visible with Bagan playing more along the ground and getting a few constructive moves. Marcos was beautifully played in Barreto, but he managed to hit the advancing keeper.

The heartbreaking moment came when Bagan won a free kick outsie the Vasco box, Marcos managed to hit the pots, the ball came back to Bhaichung, who headed it over the keeper, but shocking as it was, Habibur who stood on the goal line facing the entire field behind every possible Vasco defender and behind the keeper, needlessly kicked the ball in, which woul have gone anyways. Offside was ruled against Bagan and that was justified.

Bagan kept coming close to scoring with Barreto and Bhaichung taking shots inturns but the Vasco goalie denied them.

On the contrary, Vasco took just one shot at the goal which sailed in with Sangram under the bar giving judgement to an ariel ball with no idea of where he himself stood, on the goal line. The Match ended 0-1, Vasco beating Mohun Bagan. One might be reminded of Sangram's devastating mistakes in the last Federation Cup and if Karim wants to advance, he may consider giving Shilton Pal a chance as Sangram is in much need of a well earned break! Last year Sangram conceded silly goals in the matches leading upto the semifinal tie against East Bengal, against whom, he conceded 3 goals and Bagan went down 2-3.

Now Bagan has to win against Air India and that too with a healthy goal difference(provided Vasco win against Oil India), while Air India also will jump for full 3 points, since if they win, even they stand a chance of advancing. The winner of this group will meet East Bengal in the Semis.

AIFF gets a taste of its own medicine!

Match officials in the Mohun Bagan – Mumbai FC match at the Barasat Stadium where targeted by the local fans as they pelted stones and empty bottles. The AIFF sent a letter to Mohun Bagan about the disgraceful incident and asked for an explanation. Bagan replied and apologized for the same. The Indian FA sent another letter warning any such incidents in the future to which Mohun Bagan answered that it wasn’t their responsibility to took into these incidents. “In the first letter, we apologized but not as Mohun Bagan. We regretted the incident and spoke for the state of Bengal. We deeply condemn such incidents. “In our latest letter sent to the AIFF about three days back, we have mentioned that the Barasat Stadium is not out ground. It belongs to East Bengal. Mohun Bagan ground is one of the best in the country and we have repeatedly requested the AIFF to let our home games be played there. “The AIFF sent us a warning that this shouldn’t be repeated. It’s not our lookout if the matches are played at Barasat Stadium. We have stated that the letter sent to the Federation be treated as our official statement and that I won’t be attend the meeting,” said Mohun Bagan president Anjan Mitra.

Barreto scores twice to shoulder out Oil India!

The Federation Cup campaign started for Mohun Bagan today against the Oil India team. Bagan was out without Odafe(has not been registered, since only two foreigners can be registered) and Manju(out with injury). The Defense didnot seem very formidable with Anand Vasan and Manju filling in their shoes. Kareem went in with Bhaichung-Barreto upfront with Marcos, Masih at the centre and Lalkamal and Mama on the two flanks.

Bagan didnot repeat the mistake they had committed against Mumbai FC in the I League opener and asserted their dominance right from the word go though Oil India with youth on its side played with more kicks and pushes than football.

In the 9th minute of the match, Marcos took a long free kick which the Oil India goalie fumbled and Bhaichung was quick to snatch it off his possession and laid it off for Lalkamal, who sent in an inch perfect centre to meet Barreto's header, which inturn was beautifully placed as the keeper stood his ground, and the ball rolled its way into the net. Bagan 1-0.

Bagan carried on the game with the apparent upperhand, but slowly as the half progressed, they became a bit too complacent to save the one goal lead - and that's when Oil India struck. From a long pass, Oil striker, Durga Boro beating Vasan in pace lofted the ball over a confused Sangram who stood in a no-man's-land and looked the ball sail into the goal from over his head.

Bagan immediately put the pressure back on but after the 36th minute equaliser, they couldnot get the lead in the remainder of the half.

The second half began and it was a completely revamped Bagan side, with Ishfaq replacing Lalkamal and Lalampuia replacing Mama. Ishfaq was doing the much needed running and snatching as Marcos continued playing the role of an impressive mideo controlling the Bagan midfield and Rakesh added strength to the defense.

Bagan was ever so hungry to get the lead and kept trying and trying until in the 64th minute, from a Marcos corner, Bhaichung Bhutia side volleyed the ball towards the goal only to hanled by an Oil defender. Though Barreto had fired in a shot into the goal after the defender handled the ball, the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Barreto converted from the spot as calmly as ever.

Bagan kept on the pressure even after going into the lead for the second time and it was apparent as Oil India slowly lost their way into the match as Ishfaq and Lalampuia made penetrating runs.

Bhaichung came close to scoring twice and Barreto even came close to scoring his hattrick, but the score line read 2-1 in favour of Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan meet Vasco on the 14th.

Leander Paes practise along with Karim's boys

Today Leander Paes, one of the most successful professional Indian tennis players and also the former captain of the Indian tennis team, paid a surprise visit to the club with which he has had a relation since his childhood. He came at the Mohun Bagan club ground to practise along side Bhaichung and Barreto to work on his fitness ahead of his tournament and relive those moments when he, a boy of seven, used to run around the Mohun Bagan ground with a hockey stick wearing the Mohun Bagan jersey while his father Vece Paes would be busy playing hockey for Mohun Bagan. Leander today joined the Bagan team to work out under Karim.

Mohun Bagan players have been working on their fitness which will be put to test as they play matches in quick succession in the Federation Cup. Physical fitness and fatigue is a major factor which has been worrying Bencharifa and hence he has diverted much of his attention towards increasing the enduarance level of the team.

Maradona visits Mohun Bagan!

The God entered the temple! Maradona visits the Mohun Bagan tent and then entertains a houseful stadium at the Mohun Bagan club ground. 31 years ago the then God, Pele had visited Mohun Bagan club and now Maradona...the two legends of world football have now become connected with Mohun Bagan... Maradona came into the club tent an then spening sometime, headed for the ground. There he entertained the crowd with antics befitting someone of Maradona's repute...juggling the ball and balancing it on his head and then sending them into the crowd... The crowd went berserk when the soccer lord kissed the Ground and then sent flying kisses to the crowd... However, Maradona was scheduled to attend a few more functions and already running beyond schedule hurried his way out of the Maidan tent of the National club of India, Mohun Bagan...

Maradona to visit Mohun Bagan only!

Its like a dream come true! Its a once in a life time occassion!

It was Pele 30 years ago, an now its time for the Argentinian Legen Maraona to pay Mohun Bagan a visit! Out of his packe schedule in Kolkata, Maradona is all set to pay Mohun Bagan AC a visit and joy is already in the air.

It is a matter of immense pride for the Mariners, as Maradona will only visit the Mohun Bagan club premises and spend some time with the young talents of the city.

Odafe rested for Federation Cup! Tight scheule worry Karim!

According AIFF, only two foreigners can play in the Federation Cup for each club and accordingly Mohun Bagan AC has declared its two. Peter Odafe, the tall Nigerian defender, who has ensured a tight defense for Bagan with his towering headers an timely tackles, has been rested by the coach, and the two Brazilians, Jose Ramirez Barreto and Marcos Perriera will play. Not that Odafe is any less better than Marcos, but its just that the coach feels that he is need of a midfielder who can control the match, like Marcos, while the defense without Odafe might look doubtful, but Karim has trust in his inform defenders to cover the missing of Odafe.

Tight Federation Cup schedule worry Karim!

The AIFF though is ever so inclined to take their steps towards professional football, their attempts and ways still remain unprofessional. The Fed Cup, which is the second important tournament in the country has started off from today, 4th December and Mohun Bagan will play their first match on the 12th! Total unprofessional approach has ruined a chance to experience some quality football as the AIFF has scheduled Mohun Bagan's matches almost one after the other. If Mohun Bagan do reach the Finals of their ever so favourite tournament, they would have to play 5 matches in 10 days. Karim is worried about the fatigue factor and renouncing such schedule he vows that his team will give the best.

Bagan's Deadly Duo dump Chirag!

"Who won?" asked a passer by.

"Mohun Bagan..." came a prompt reply.

"What's the scoreline?" he asked.

"2-0" replied a boy with a grin.

"Who scored?"

"Barreto-Bhaichung, who else..." with a look of satisfaction and confidence.

This was the little conversation I heard on my way back from the stadium and it seemed just perfect...

Karim's boys undid Chirag United's all efforts to salvage even a single point and save themselves from the relegation zone.

Though Chirag tried to force the issue with the beginning of the match, but soon taking control of the midfield, Bagan started to dictate the terms.
Attacks were coming in numbers, but Gopal, Chirag goalie made a couple of saves. But in the 18th minute, Barreto, off a Tulunga centre, headed in the first goal.

Bagan kept the tempo up and in the 29th minute, Bhaichung took a side volley to beat the keeper.

The entire first half Bagan reaigne supreme in the field giving Chirag strikers no chance to even come close. Vasan, Odafe and Habibur looked steady.

In the second half, Karim concentrate more on defending the two goals and not to humiliate Subrata Bhattacharya's side. Shilton seemed very solid under the post and didnot find any much of a problem tackling the few shots that came his way.

The quality of refereeing however has to be brought into attention of the AIFF by the Bagan officials. Through out the match, Barreto had to manage hard tackles for which he at the most got a free kick and at times not even that. Whereas Barreto ended up seeing a yellow card for sliding tackle. Marcos and Rakesh Masih were also booked today.

Bagan with todays win cemented their 2nd spot at the en of he 1st leg of the I League with 21 points from 11 matches.

Bhaichung ensure Bagan second spot after 10th round!

Mahindra United have won just once against Mohun Bagan at Kolkata in all the I League encounters while Bagan has won the lion's share. Records remained intact as Mohun Bagan captain, Bhaichung Bhutia made sure Bagan came out with 3 points against Mahindra to move up to the top 3 of the I League Table after the 10th round.

The match started with Bagan slightl losing the initiative to Mahindra as they Steven Dias & Co. tried to create some disturbance in the Bagan defence and came close to scoring twice.

But as the game progressed, Bagan defence starring Marcos and Masih took control and put a hault to Mahindra's progress. The half ended with both the teams having equal opportunities but the score board read 0-0.

The second half had barely begun, when Mohun Bagan struck through Bhaichung Bhutia. Dipak Mondal moved into the Mahindra penalty box from the left and let in a low centre to Bhaichung. The ball was spilled by Bhaichung but it came back to him off a Mahindra defender and he made full use of the opportunity. With a half turn, Bhaichung placed the ball across the face of the goal and the keeper stretched in vein as the ball entangled in the net.

Bagan though defended the goal for the remainder, Bagan played some quite exceptional football with numerous passes and laid ope the Mahindra defense on more than one ocassion. Barreto was however, clearly tripped inside the box as he was about to trigger a shot, but the refree, quite to the surprise of the spectators signalled "play on"

The only concern for Karim would be that, against Chirag, he will miss the services of Sangram and Deepak Mandal due to double booking.

After 5 matches, Bagan were on 3 points. Now after 10 matches, they are on 18 points with just Sporting club leading the table with a difference of 4 points.

Lalkamal makes the day for Bagan! Bagan down Vasco 2-1

Mohun Bagan played Vasco away from home, in Goa and made sure they collect full 3 points against a team which has been languishing at the bottom of the league table to ensure the Mariners stay in the hunt for the I league title. Bagan are on 15 points, just 4 points behind the league leaders Sporting club de Goa.

Mohun Bagan continued their winning streak for 4 continuous I League matches and it seems like the Bagan wheel is on a roll with Karim fuel pushing it.

Bagan though went a goal down in the 29th minute, came back through Rakesh Masih in the 31st minute. From an inswinging corner sent in, Masih connected a reaching header to equalise for Bagan. The half ended on 1-1.

Lalkamal Bhowmick, who came in place of Ishfaq Ahmed, scored the winner with the beginning of the second half. The goal itself is evident to Lalkamal's personal skills, as he took a long ranger from outside the penalty box but the shot rebounded off a defender and came back to Lalkamal, who dodged his was inside the box and taking on two defenders with a magical wand of his legs, let in a left footer to beat the keeper. He had not scored for Bagan after the first leg match against Peerless last season, which Bagan won 7-0! That was last when Lalkamal had scored for Bagan and today Lalkamal contributed to a winning cause and that hopefully would boost his confidence level.

Bagan are on 15 points from 9 matches and very much in the race for the title...

10 men Mohun Bagan play magical football to murder JCT!

If this club doesnot deserve to win the I league, then who does? 90 mins of Magical football is all that Karim Bencharifa's boys had to offer against JCT! Who would say this team was on 3 points from 5 matches, now they are on 12 points from 8 matches and they seem to be on a roll and mow any opposition down, come what may... After a 10 men struggling win against the mighty Dempo, a Barreto-less win against the Churchill, Mohun Bagan strangle JCT even after being reduced to 10 men again. Even after being reduced to 10 men at the stroke of Half time, nobody expected Mohun Bagan to play the football they played in the second half. Karim's confidence in his boys and their ability to cope with every situation was apparent once again. Though the main pillar of Bagan defense, Odafe was sent off, Karim stuck with the same set of players without worrying about his defense as he did not care to send in any new defenders, instead made Rakesh Masih to fill in for Odafe, who never fail to impress us. He was impressive in the midfield in the first half and then an ace in defense in the second half. The football which the team played today, was purely "magical". The match started off with Bagan stepping on the gas from the word go and the JCT defense seemed a bit jittery to start off with. Bagan brought on waves of attacks and finally in the 15th minute, Ishfaq Ahmed headed in the first goal from a long cross sent in by James from the right. Only minutes later, Manju had the chance of doubling the lead, but he could not manage to keep it in. JCT however came close once when JCT player hit the post but just could not open the goal mouth through out the match, thanx to Deepak and Masih. In the 31st minute, Barreto was pushed from behind inside the box and was awarded a penalty, which Barreto did not fail to convert. Though the keeper guessed the right side, precision beat the keeper than anything else.

At the stroke of halftime, Odafe received the second booking of the match and was sent off much to the worry of the Bagan fans. But in the 2nd half, Bagan though went defensive, it can be said that Bagan played a much superior quality of football. Sangram had to deal with just a few shots that made its way to the goal, while the other ones were dealt with by the defense. Marcos again showed why the coach has trust in him as Rakesh and he took tremendous load in the midfield to unsettle JCT and make the day easy for Bagan! Mohun Bagan after his win, has managed to win against threeof the tougher teams of the I League and on all the three ocassions have managed a clean sheet!

Karim might play 3 forwards against JCT!

JCT, who stand on otherwise level ground with Mohun Bagan but are only ahead as far as goal difference is concerned, are to meet Mohun Bagan on the 16th of this month ! Infact along with Bagan, East Bengal are also stuck on 9 points from 7 matches but only they have +1 goal difference compared to -1 of Bagan! The goal difference issue has already been a thorn in the flesh for Karim Bencharifa, when last season he had to settle for the runner's up trophy coaching Churchill, who ended their I league campaign second only to Dempo, with same points as Dempo but lagging behind in goal difference!
Karim will not take any chances this season with Mohun Bagan. After grooving into the winning ways by defeating the reigning champions Dempo on their home ground, and after winning against Churchill Brothers and ending their unbeaten run in the I League, Karim has shifted all focus to the job at hand- the match against JCT. It wont be an easy match by any stretch of imagination and that is the reason why Karim would want to field his inform players.
The defensive combination of Habibur, Odafe, Dipak, Manju seems to be working and has been successful in defending a solitary goal through out the match against Churchill- that should give them the confidence.
Upfront, Bhaichung may be supported by inform Lalawmpuia. Lalawmpuia has scored 2 goals off the 3 matches he has played his I League and the match he did not score, he created the scoring opportunity for Branco. Injury had nudged him out of action but he announced his return his the only goal against Churchill and winning the match for Bagan. Barreto, who missed the last match might start off as an attacking midfielder and then judging by match situation, might move up along side Bhaichung and Lalwmpuia.
Marcos, who after his inclusion, has lent much composure in the midfield, might be supported by Ishfaq and Sr. James Singh.
What the final line up would be, that remains to be seen, but Karim certainly is weighing his options with Lalawmpuia.

Diego Maradona against Mohun Bagan!

It was the Black Pearl in 1977, who came to Calcutta to play a match against the oldest club of Asia. Pele played for Cosmos against Mohun Bagan AC and managed to restrict Bagan to a 2-2 draw!

Then, along came Roger Milla, the African legend in 1989, centenary year of Mohun Bagan AC...

This year in May, Oliver Kahn, the living legend, the greatest German goalkeeper, played his last game against the National club of India, Mohun Bagan AC...

and now the Prince of world football is here...Diego Maradona...the Argentinian wonder, the superman...

The ex-World Cup winner will visit the Mother House, Kolkata, which is the headquarters of Missionaries of Charity and also inaugurate the Indian Football School in the city. The probable date of his arrival has been declared to be 6th December.

The West Bengal State Government has decided to felicitate the Argentinian Coach on his arrival in the city and if possible will arrange a 10 minutes match against the City Giant, Mohun Bagan AC!

However, such a proposition seems highly unlikely, because according to FIFA rules, Once a person has been appointed as the Coach of a Football Team under FIFA, such person shall not be allowed to play football, other than for the purpose of coaching...

Churchill Bros. bear the brunt of a resurgent Bagan!

It was Dempo last week and now Churchill, Karim's boys are doing it the hard way! Full 6 points against the two of the tougher teams in the I league and keeping a clean sheet on both the occasions. Nothing short of brilliance! A 10 men side against Dempo, a Barreto less side against Churchill...yet two wins! Is the Karim Magic back? That remains to be seen until the end of the league(a sceptic's opinion)...but surely the two wins against Dempo and Churchill have come as something more than an energy drink for Karim's boys and their admirers... Bagan started off today against Churchill at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, with Bhaichung and Lalampuia upfront since Barreto was out with two bookings. The Bagan defense seemed much experienced featuring, Manju, Dipak, Odafe and Habibur. Churchill boasted Odafa Okili and Karim had Odafe to 'tackle' him who kept him in and "goal tight" container. Bagan drew first blood in the 14 minute courtesy a lovely goal from Lalampuia. Marcos lofted a ball over the head of India international defender, Gourmangi Singh to Lalam, who pushed the ball past the advancing Churchill goalie. Churchill was not going to make life easy for the Bagan defenders and the Bagan defense showed some much desired character. Though the defense did seem desperate at times, yet confidence - is the key factor that the Bagan defense has acquired after the Dempo match. It did seem that Sangram was having a few moments of misunderstanding with the defense, but Manju stood defiant against the Churchill attack and protected the goal. After the match when Karim was questioned about his "weak" defence, the Bagan coach fumed at the reporter as he reminded that his so called weak defense has maintained a clean sheet against not only Dempo, but today also against a side which has scored 12 goals so far, Churchill Brothers! When questioned about Marcos's fitness and pace, his performance today should silence the critics, as he earned the Man of the Match today!