Mohun Bagan today needed just a draw against Dhaka Mohammedan SC to reach the Semis of the 113 IFA shield, but they had other plans as they ensured a fight with Santos in the semis with a convincing victory over their Bangladeshi opponent today at the Barasat Stadium.
Dhaka Mohd. SC needing nothing less than a victory stepped on the gas from the beginning and managed to draw first blood when from a seemingly offside position, a Mohd. SC forward scored.
But Bagan, undoubtedly the better team now pressurized its opponent and the DMSC defence had a tough time handling the famous Ba-Bha duo and soon Bhaichung proved too hot to handle as a low cross from the left off Rahul Kumar, was met by a flying Bhaichung, who side volleyed the ball into the net. Bagan equalized.
Minutes later, a floater from Barreto, inside the penalty box, saw Bhaichung Bhutia chasing in with 3 defenders hot on his heels and seeing the keeper advancing, Bhaichung flung himself up in the air and lofted the ball over the keeper from an acute and thus putting Bagan 2-1 up before the end of the 1st half.
With the beginning of the second half, Bagan kept up the tempo and created a whole lot of chances as they were doing the 1st half. Gobin who replaced Barreto in the 60th minute, was tripped inside the box and won a penalty, and Bhutia eyeing his hattrick, quite unlike him, went for the kick after a long time and did no justice to his name, as he shot it widen and missed the golden opportunity to bag the third.
However, Bagan still kept on the pressure and even substitute Gobin came close to scoring on a number of opportunities. But it was Ishfaq, in the dying moments of the game, who put in the 3rd and his 4th goal for Bagan this season.
Mohun Bagan meet Santos FC in the Semis. Santos FC is a South African club team. They are the group champions of their group winning against Mahindra United 2-0 and sharing points with East Bengal in a 1-1 draw.
No comments:
Post a Comment