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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Habibur equalises to save Bagan!

Habibur Rahman Mondal scored again today for Mohun Bagan to save the day for Bagan against Mohd. Sporting at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The Bagan team featured neither Barreto nor Bhaichung, in fact, Lalampuia was out after a double booking and the remaining forwards Branco and Ishfaq are already out with injury. Kartick Kisku and Malsauwmtulunga played upfront. On the other hand, Mohammedan came out with their full team, starring Theodore Sunday and Mike Okoro.
The match started off with Bagan initiating attacks and Mohd. Sporting playing mainly on counter attack. Jr. James squandered a sitter and Kartick Kisku was brought down in the box and the referee denied the penalty.
On the other side though, Theodore who got into a tussle with Mohunraj, dived inside the box pulling Mohunraj on top of him, and the referee, who came running from behind the centre-line pointed to the box, though the concerned lines-man didnot indicate any such. The half ended with Mohd. Sporting leading.
Barreto was introduced with the beginning of second half, and proved why he is still the best foreigner in India. From the time he came up, Mohun Bagan attack became much more effective. The entire half, Bagan continued attacks but to no avail. However, the moment came in the last minute of the match, as Lalkamal sent in a swerving free-kick and Barreto headed back towards goal, but Habibur put it in with his right footer sliding in.
After the match however, the Bagan officials have demanded an out-station referee for the Kolkata derby against East Bengal, owing to glaring poor refereeing decisions. Bagan after 10 matches are now on 24 points with Mohd. Sporting from 11 matches are on 24 and East Bengal from 10 are on 21 points

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Injury plagued Bagan sniff League title!

The Mohun Bagan camp has turned into a Nursing home! The tight schedule and the slushy fields attacking its toll on the players. The front line which is already lacking in quality players except for Barreto, is now plagued with injury. Barreto, Lalampuia, Ishfaq are all suffering from injury. Lalawmpuia was forced to play in the last match and picked up a yellow card. So he will miss the Mohd. Sporting match either way.Ishfaq, has been nursing a hamstring injury for the past three weeks. Barreto, to add to the woes, is suffering from leg injury and fatigue. Mohun Bagan meet Mohammedan Sporting next on the League schedule and Bagan must win this match to somewhat make their claim on the CFL, with their arch rivals lagging considerably behind.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Habibur saves the day for Bagan!

On a day when Barreto was rested and a sick Lalawmpuia was fielded after being medicated, the person who always come up with goals in important matches, Habibur Rahaman Mondal scored for Bagan to extend Mohun Bagan’s lead at the top of the table! The talking point of the match was with Barreto sitting out the match, can the young Bagan side pull it off! Can Dipak Mondal, who came into the side after a long period after injury and national duty, reorganize the defense and lend his experience in the not so sturdy defence of Bagan? The answer to all the above questions were in affirmative, as a Barreto less Bagan created much chances and did score through Habibur in the late minutes of the first half, and the defense did well to hold on to that solitary goal for the next 45 mins. as Railway FC brought in men to strengthen their attack, as they tried to repeat their feat against East Bengal, aginst whom they came back to split the points after going one goal down. The virtually non-existent midfield showed some determination today with Rakesh and James Jr. doing the blocking and Capt. Lalkamal jelling well with new comer Kartick Kisku(adjudged today's MoM) to strengthen the attack along with Mama. A not so fit Lalawmpuia felt alone upfront as he lost his temper and managed to pick a booking will miss the next match against Mohammedan Sporting. The goal came on the 43rd minute, off a corner, which the keeper failed to collect and the ball dropped just in front of Habibur, who taking a sharp turn pushed the ball into the goal. Bagan are on 23 points from 10 matches. Team: Sangram, Odafe, Dipak, Habibur, Mohunraj, Kartick Kisku, Lalkamal, Rakesh, James Singh(Jr), Malsawmtlunga, Lalawmpuia

Bhaichung Joins! Ishfaq to sit out for 2 more weeks!

Bhaichung Bhutia, who came back from the National Camp after winning the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 for India has joined Bagan practice yesterday. He did some light training at the club ground and spent much time at the gymnasium. Today though he spent the entire time at the club tent stretching along with Lalawmpuia and Ishfaq. Later Lalawmpuia and Bhutia headed for the CAB gym. Bhaichung is taking time out as he seems to tired from the hectic schedule of the IFA and the AIFF, with the CFL not over yet, I league starting from the 12th September.






Ishfaq to sit out for 2 more weeks!
Ishfaq Ahmed who had a good time going at the beginning of the season with Karim making him the play-maker for Bagan was suffering from Hamstring injury. Today he informed that he's yet to be fully fit and he has no idea when he would make it to the starting 11. He has started practice just yesterday and certainly would take time to get in the groove. Today he mainly focused on stretching in side the club tent with Barreto, Bhutia and Lalawmpuia, but later joined the coach in the practice pitch.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Bagan held!

Bagan were held on their home ground by Chirag utd on Sunday, 17th August. Bagan reach 0 points from 9 matches, equalling that of Mohd. Sporting who are in an identical position, but trailing Bagan by gaol difference.
The match started off with both the teams creating chances, and Chirag went ahead, thanks to n entirely new set of players in Bagan defense.
Bagan put the pressure back on with much intensity, and finally after squandering a number of easy chances and being denied by the Chirag keeper. Off a corner into the six yard box, Rakesh pushed in a ball to Tulunga, whose attempt was blocked only to be scored by Barreto.
The 1st half ended on an equal note. In the second half Bagan tried to get another one, but the tight Chirag defense seemed determined not to give Bagan another chance.
The match ended a 1-1 draw.
Team: Sangram, Rakesh, Manju, Habibur, Rino Antao, Lalkamal, Jr.James, Malsawmtulunga, Lalramluaha, Barret, Lalampuia

Bagan ease past Peerless

Mohun Bagan met Peerless in their CFL 2008-09, 2nd leg opener and moved clear of Mohammedan Sporting by 2 points, who are on 17 points from 8 matches, Bagan on 19 from same number of matches. Mohun Bagan after their Big Derby win against East Bengal, started off the match in a positive note and making much headway in the beginning with Barreto and Lalawmpuia coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Bagan, however, were denied of a legitimate goal which came off a Vasan header, but was cleared by a Peerless defender from inside the goal-line and the concerned linesman was in no mood to entertain any such claims.
Quite ironically however, Peerless went ahead through a counter-attack, when Odafe was beaten in flight. Mohun Bagan kept up the pressure and soon enough it paid off, when Lalawmpuia pushed in a free ball sent in by Odafe from a long throw-in. Peerless though tried to make a mark in the match, it never seemed Peerless could snatch Bagan’s points. Bagan came out in the second half with a purpose and Barreto, who was running through a goal draught, received a ball from Mohunraj from the left and trapping with his left foot managed to guard two defenders and twisted his body to take a shot which squeezed its way through the defenders and goalie and the ball rolled into the net. Certainly a commendable goal, but its regular stuff for Jose Barreto. Even after taking lead, Bagan kept up the tempo as Karim fielded Rhino Antao in place of an injured Mohunraj, and Sanjoy Boro who came in place of James Singh, rendered some pace to the right flank. Kartick Kisku, another new face who was introduced in the first half in place of Lalramluaha, did not fail to impress with his pace and ability to block in midfield.
Team: Sangram, Odafe, Vasan, Habibur, Mohunraj(Sanjoy Boro), Lalramluaha(Kartick Kisku), Lalkamal, Rakesh, James Singh(Rhino Antao), Barreto, Lalawmpuia.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

2nd leg schedule changed!

The second leg schedule of the CFL 2008-09 has been changed and published as follows:
11th Aug. - Peerless
17th Aug. - Chirag Utd.
21st Aug. - Railway FC
25th Aug. - Port Trust
30th Aug. - Mohammedan Sporting
2nd Aug. - George Telegraph
6th Aug - East Bengal FC

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

A "post-derby-win" report!

Mohun Bagan yesterday posted their 5th win of 7 matches in the 2008-09 Calcutta Football League and thus cementing the top spot of the League table after the 1st leg with 16 points and the archrivals, East Bengal on 11 points from same number of matches, i.e seven.

With yesterday's win, Bagan extend their 6th straight wins in the Kolkata Derby at the Salt Lake Stadium, and the 7th consecutive derby win in the Kolkata League.

In 2005 CFL, Togolese striker, Gley Yao Rodrigoues brought in Mohun Bagan a single-goal derby win in each of the two legs.

In 2006, in the 1st leg, Bhaichung scored the solitary goal for Mohun Bagan against East Bengal and in the second leg, Guy Ndem scored for Bagan!

In 2007,opening encounter saw a dramatic scorline, 4-3 with Mohun Bagan winning it, thanks to Lalawmpuia, Barreto and a brace from Venkatesh while in the return leg, Barreto slapped East Bengal with his two goals making it 6-0 for Mohun Bagan agaisnt East Bengal in the CFL!

Yesterday, Lalawmpuiya with his twin goals, extended Mohun Bagan's tally to 7 wins in a row in the Calcutta Football League Derby!

On Sangram: The Keeper this season!
Sangram, has really come of age! Last season had been a nightmare for him. So much so, he had to be seated and Shilton Pal, the young goalie had to be trusted, who dinot fail to impress though. This year, again, Sangram has shown must confidence in his performance and undoubtedly, he has been Bagan's unsung hero in this season. With a permeable defence ahead of him, he has saved Bagan on a number of occasions in all the matches.

Sad demise of Madhusudhan Dolui
A weak at heart, Madhusudhan Dolui, yet Green and Maroon at heart, passed away during the Kolkata derby yesterday. A Mohun Bagan supporter to the core, Mr. Dolui was present at the Salt Lake Stadium and witnessed his team go down in the 18 minute. Bagan went into the half one goal down, and that to Mr. Dolui's heart seemed to much to bear. At 48, his heart could not take the pain and he was hospitalised as soon as possible by a few good Samaritans, but the doctors could not revive him, he died off heart-attack . He may not have lived to see Mohun Bagan win the match, but he has left us to fill that empty seat and root for our beloved club from the very core. On behalf of the million mariners, we lend a shoulder of condolence to his family and pray that may our friend, brother and fellow mariner rest in eternal peace!
Another unfortunate East Bengal fan suffered from heart attack in the stadium in the later half of the match and is admitted in ICCU and his condition is critical. We pray for his speedy recovery and may he be back with his near and dear ones soon...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mohun Bagan Nail East Bengal 7th time in CFL!

A crowd of seventy thousand at the Salt Lake Stadium witnessed nothing less than a Hollywood movie as Mohun Bagan, after being one goal down till the 71st minute came back to wrest East Bengal and snatched three points from the Derby clash and thus moving to 16 points from 7 matches at the end of the 1st leg! Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal for the 7th time in a row in the Kolkata Football League and the million mariners are more than grateful to Bagan hero, Lalawmpuia.
The match started off with both the teams trying to shoulder each other in the middle to get a head start. Mohun Bagan came close to scoring through Barreto once, but failed to open their account! On the other side, Edmilson let fly a pile driver and Sangram was equally up to the task as the Bagan captain, arms stretched wide denied Edmilson. From one of the corners, however, Alvito took an inswinging shot which Sangram had to dive backwards and save off the goal line. Sangram looked dauntless under the Bagan bar, but on the 18th minute East Bengal drew the first blood.
Mohunraj, let in a silly slide, which Nirmal Chettri evaded easily and from his cross, Alvito scored a gymnastic goal. The goal certainly demands credit and thus Bagan went 1 goal down.
Through out the half, Bagan tried to open their scoring sheet, but both Lalawmpuia and Barreto seemed off colour, both getting minimal support from the half line. Rakesh Mashi, however, did not fail to impress. Taking into account his first match for Mohun Bagan, and that too in the Kolkata derby, he made his pressence felt in the midfield as a blocker.
The half time whistle blew and Bagan were still one goal down. When the second half resumed, East Bengal players were busy taking turns to roll on the ground feigning injuries and thus earning fouls and buying valueable time. Mohun Bagan tried to keep the tempo up and incidents like, when Lalawm and East Bengal players got involved in a scuffle did not help much.
As the half rolled, Karim brought in Lalkamal in place of James Singh. It seemed as if Lalkamal had the script of the derby up his sleeve. On the 72 minute, Bagan earned a corner which Lalkamal took from the left. The ball found a rising Lalawmpuia, whose header inched past the East Bengal goalie, into the goal and much to relief of the 50 thousand Mariners present at the stadium and the millions watching it on the Television screen!Bagan tried to keep the pressure up, but East Bengal's midfield outweighed Bagan's. East Bengal came close on a few ocassions, but it was as if destiny and Sangram prevented them. Sangram made a number of magical saves to keep Bagan in the game.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! 83rd minute on the clock, Bagan again earned a corner! Lalkamal's swerving corner at goal-mouth, the ball ballooned across the face of the goal after being scooped up by Barreto, and Lalawpuia, rose up and took a half bicycle nudge into the goal, all the time being pushed by Musah, really a tribute to Lalawmpuia's fitness.Bagan go ahead 2-1, in the 83rd minute and half of the stadium errupts in deafening scream, while the other half, resounds a deafening silence...Bagan just keep squishing East Bengal, again and again, 7th time in CFL...
In the last 7 minutes, and the 4 mins that were added on, Mohun Bagan and East bengal both tried their best to net, but Sangram stood tall under the Bagan bar, and the referee did his best to pull back Mohun Bagan from the East Bengal half! However, the match ended 2-1 in Mohun Bagan's favour. With this win, Mohun Bagan defeats East Bengal for the 6th time in a row in Kolkata, and 7th time consecutively in the CFL, and they continued their undefeated streak for 8 matches in the CFL Derby from 2004. Mohun Bagan are on 16 points, and Lalwmpuia is the leading goalscorer in the CFL thus far with 6 goals. Team: Sangram, Odafe, Vasan, Mohunraj, Habibur, Lalramluaha, Rakesh, Mama, James, Barreto, Lalawpuia

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Peter Odafe - the Mesiah for Mohun Bagan in a 3-2 thriller!

Mohun Bagan today edged past Raghu Nandi's George Telegraph at the Mohun Bagan ground with a 90th minute goal coming from Peter Odafe to take Mohun Bagan to the top of the CFL table with 13 points from 6 mtches, drawing 4 points clear of city rivals East Bengal before the big derby on the 5th!
From the beginning of the match, Mohun Bagan found it hard to cope up with the fast play of George's midfield, and specially with not the best Midfield on show, Bagan played into the hands of Raghu Nandi's boys. But come the 21st minute, Mohun Bagan, from a counter attack from the right drew first blood, quite against the run of play! Malsauwmtlunga from the right sent in a ball for Barreto in the penalty box, and the Brazilian ace, gaining control of the ball set it up for an advancing Lalampuia, who placed a perfect wide in-swinging shot into the goal, keeping the keeper guessing! Lalampuia becomes the joint top scorer in the CFL 2008-09 along with Okoro and Theo of Mohd. Sp.
Bagan inspite of going in front kept defending the moves brought in George, and the deficiency in the midfield was apparent with Karim lacking a good blocker or a play maker.
But as if throwing any worries to the wind, Bagan surged ahead with another goal, this time through Malsauwmtlunga in the 37th minute. James from the right sent in a cross, and Malsauwmtlunga, quite like he did against Railway FC, broke from the pack just in the nick of time and lobbed the ball over the advancing kepeer as the George keeper crashed into Mama! Mama becomes the top scorer in the CFL 2008-09 along with Okoro and Theo of Mohd. Sp and co-mariner, Lalampuia
Bagan went into the half, two goals ahead!
With the beginning of the second half, George was presented with a penalty of an unexplained cause, though referee seems to have seen Vasan committing a hand ball, though not convincing. Francis stepped up to take the penalty but Sangram managed to save the ball by diving to his left, but the rebound was thumped past the helpless keeper by Freebone! George pull one back! With city rivals East Bengal on 11 points from 6 matches and Bagan on 10 from 5, and the Derby just days away, the dirty game of Kolkata Maidan started as the match official tried all they could to hold Bagan back. The Match Official started pulling the game into the Bagan half by adjudging unnecessary fouls on George players thus helping them create much pressure on Bagan, just in case they could draw level. With a virtually non existent midfield, team Bagan fought against all odds as rain started pouring! Based on counter attacks and the Bagan defence taking the entire load with just one goal difference, Bagan survived critically and the inevitable happened in the 80th minute as Francis equalised with a wonderfully kept shot from the top of the box beating Sangram!
All hopes seemed lost as Bagan tried all out for that ellusive 3rd goal, and Lalkamal, it seemed was hell bent on how to squander the priceless chances that came his way.
90 minutes on the clock, when all seemed lost and Bagan would have to settle for 1 point, Peter Odafe, the Bagan defender, as if to avenge his fellow mariner's ordeal, Mohunraj who let in a last minute goal against Mohd. Sp. saved Bagan from the blushes and took them to a safe haven with 3 valuable points! Odafe somehow managed to steer in a ball, from Habibur return, with the George goalie clutching to his feet! Odafe though, sustained injury thus, and Rakesh Masi came on for just 3 minutes!
Bagan are on 13 points from 6 matches but ahead of Mohd. Sporting with equal points from same number of matches, but lagging behind in goal difference!
Team: Sangram, Odafe, Vasan, Naveen(Habibur), Mohunraj, Lalkamal, Jr. James, Sr. James(Lamramluah), Malsauwmtlung, Barreto, Lalampuia

MOHUN BAGAN ATHLETIC CLUB-The National club of India

A Short History:

MOHUN BAGAN AC-The National club of India, the oldest Club in Asia,
was established on 15th August 1889 when India was up in arms against her collonial head, England.

Eversince its establishment the Club had been winning a lot of local leagues and cups but the moment of greatness that surpasses all came in the year 1911 when Mohun Bagan AC became the first Indian club/team to defeat the foreigners in their own game of football.

On 29th of July 1911 Mohun Bagan won the IFA shield beating East Yorkshire 2-1. Eversince there has been no stopping!

The club has won and keeps on winning many a laurel for the country! It has made our Nation Proud!

According to FIFA rankings, in Asia, Mohun Bagan is the 16th biggest team to have an avg. home crowd of 19,888. According to World standards, Mohun Bagan has been ranked of 127 much ahead of other big clubs like Udinese(Italy), Benfica(Portugal) and Fulham(England) to mention a few.

It is however,not an easy task to consolidate the history of a club which is more than 117 years old*...(read more...)

*For Further Info:Please visit The Offical site of MAC: History section please open in a New Window

Location: Kolkata Maidan
Colours:
Green and Maroon
Symbol: Sail Boat

Stadium: Mohun Bagan ground
Yuva Bharati Krirangan

MOHUN BAGAN AC- It's not just a club, it is an institution, a religion, a passion. LIVE IT...DIE FOR IT...

A Pictorial trip of the Mohun Bagan Ground!

Satellite Imagery of our Club Ground!*
*Open in a New Window please.
Images of Yuva Bharati Krirangan*
*Open in a New Window please.

Photos by: Soumyadeb Sinha
Photos by: Soumyadeb Sinha

Souvenirs

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