Mohun Bagan finish second best! Suspending 4 key players pays off for AIFF!

Mohun Bagan had nothing to lose going into the match with needing nothing short of a miracle. Churchill losing point to Mohd. Sp., who are fighting relegation and Bagan winning the match against M.U with a broken team, four first team players suspended in the last match, courtesy referee Rizuanur- was something impossible.Churchill thumped 6 goals past the Mohd. Sp. keeper and became the I league champions and Bagan finished Runners Up, three points short, following their loss against M.U.
Surprising? not really! It was a well executed 'plan' by AIFF. A Churchill official is incidentally a high official in the AIFF. AIFF made sure Bagan do not go into the match with their full strength side, just to play safe.
In the last match, referee Rizuanur showed 4 yellow cards to 4 Bagan players, all key players in Karim's scheme of things erasing Bagan's hope of a miracle. Marcos, Masih, Manju, two midfield players and a CB along with Lakamal had to sit out. While Vasan came in Manju's place and makeshift midfielder, Rahul Kumar and an out of place James singh hopelessly tried to cope with MU attacks.
The Television commentators were heard complaining that MU were missing the services of the out of form N.P. Pradeep. Very insightful piece of commentary indeed, but they missed to mention, even for a second that Bagan were lacking the services of three inform players- Marcos, Masih and Manju.
About the match though, Bagan really didnot settle into the match from the beginning. It was 10 mins in when the news came in that Churchill were leading 2-0 against Mohd. Sp. and that meant no matter what Bagan would do, they would still remain the runners' up, unless they take in a dozen of goals so as to allow Sporting Clube slip past them.
Bagan though tried to score, the midfield and defense really failed them today. Too many balls were played through the defense, as sorry to say, Vasan really doesnot deserve to play in the Mohun Bagan defense. From one such balls, played in between Deepak and Odafe, Deepak failed to connect and Edeh Chidi taking Odafe in his stride took Sangram away from the goal and placed the ball into the net through the right of the keeper.
However, Bagan came close to scoring first through Bhaichung, but it was not to be, no gifts for guessing...its the Mr. Referee again. This is the third time in a span of 4 matches(against Chirag Utd, Dempo, Mahindra) that Bhaichung's goal has been disallowed. Mere coincidence? Not conspiracy for sure, I hope.

The second half saw, few changes- Branco IN, Rahul Kumar OUT; Lalram IN, Mama OUT. One still felt Karim would have done better had he sacrificed Vasan, and brought in Deepak in CB, send Rahul Kumar to LB and bring in Branco. However, Karim later had to bring Deepak in CB, when Odafe, injured replaced Mohunraj, who went in LB.
Bagan thought tired to restore parity, defense and a malfunctioning midfield didnot allow Bagan to settle down and play their game. Mahindra kept up the tempo and the defense allowed too much space for MU forwards. Edeh Chidi was left free on a number of occasions and he made Bagan pay as from one such opportunity, he drove in a ball home from the top of the box, completely unmarked.
After the second goal went in, news came in from Goa that Mohd. Sp has pulled one back. Bagan as it seemed were up and willing to do something, but to no avail. Bhaichung and Barreto did show some sparks of personal brilliance, but were soon out numbered in the crowd of MU players in their own half.
Bagan came close to scoring when Branco glanced a ball goalwards, but luck favoured the MU goalie as the ball struck his boot and went out. Bagan continued their bona fide attempts to score and in the 90th minute, from a Ishfaq centre, Barreto magnificently glanced a header goalwards, but just as the keeper thought he had saved it with a diving effort, Branco slid in and scored an opportunistic goal.
Bagan retained their second spot and ended on 43 points along with Sporting Clube de Goa, but lead them in goal difference.
Again Goal difference? only difference...its for the better this time for Karim!