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Monday, September 21, 2009

Jayasuriya sign for Bagan along with Vaas!

CRICKET:Chaminda Vaas, the world renowned Sri Lankan Pacer had already signed for Bagan last season and now Sanath Jayasuriya, one of the most destructive batsmens ever, has signed for Mohun Bagan's cricket team(according to local electronic media reports). Though initially Sanath had a talk with Bagan rivals East Bengal, but in the end, Bagan nudged East Bengal out of the scene and made a deal with Sanath! Vaas and Jayasuriya will now play for Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata, whenever they are free from their international duties.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Chidi scores twice as Bagan make Durand Final!

Durand Cup:Bagan today scored twice through Edeh Chidi make it to the final of the Durand Cup where they will meet Churchill Brothers.
Bagan went ahead in the 19th minute. Mahindra equalised through Mohd. Rafi in the 70th minute and then Bagan got the winner from Edeh Chidi in the 76th minute.
Barreto suffering from an injury was not confirmed for the match, but he did comeout to win it for Bagan and played entire 90 minutes before being replaced by Kulothungan in the 91st minute.
Bagan went ahead in the 18th minute when James delivered a ball from the right on the second post, which Barreto headed to Chidi at the first post and he slotted it in. After the goal Mahindra stepped up their efforts, but the Bagan defense was upto the task.
However the midfield lacked not only creativity, it also was lacking in the blocking department. Micky failed to find a partner in Shubho Kumar, who was made to spend the entire 90 mins on the field but was not seen either tackling a ball or even attempting to block one, not to mention his centres were not on the money either. Surprising however, Koluthungan with his high work rate was made to sit out for the match. James and Snehashish were impressive down the flank and also chipped in with their defensive qualities. During the later half of the match, Barreto was seen defending in his own half leaving Chidi alone upfront.
Sangram was over all impressive under the bar pulling off a few spectacular saves, but he seemed clueless about when to advance. On two occasions he was found stranded on the top of the six yard box with ball watching above his head. On one such occasion he let in a header, from Mohd. Rafi, which, had Sangram been on the line, would not have gone in.
Barely six minutes had passed when James took a world class free kick to stun the Mahindra Keeper. His right footer, instead of swinging in for the advancing heads, swerved out and the advancing keeper had to jump back to save it for a corner. From the corner, Chidi drove in a powerful header, even though he was highly marked.
Bagan will meet Churchill Brothers on the 22nd of September and the word is out that Bagan with their full team will be out to take sweet sweet revenge of their IFA Shield defeat.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Bagan book a berth in the Semis! Barreto scores a Brace!

Durand Cup: Jose Ramirez Barreto stayed on the pitch for just 20 minutes. It was enough to ensure Mohun Bagan’s passage to the semi-finals of the Durand Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium on Friday.
Playing his second match of the season, the Brazilian came up with two magical strikes in the first 15 minutes as Mohun Bagan defeated JCT, Phagwara, 2-0 to top Group II with six points and set up a semi-final clash with holders Mahindra United on Sunday.
In the first semi-final, Goa giants Churchill Brothers and Dempo Sports Club will meet each other.
It was a typical veni vidi vici performance by Barreto. Once his scoring job was over, the Brazilian was quickly taken off by the Mohun Bagan coach. He was replaced by Branco Cardozo.
As Barreto walked off the pitch, the crowd broke into a spontaneous applause. He is the only member of the Bagan squad that won the Durand Cup in 2001, Bagan’s last Durand Cup title so far.
The match was won and lost in the first 15 minutes. Barreto opened scoring in the fourth minute when he came from behind to trap the ball inside the box and beat the goalkeeper.
The second goal was even more spectacular. Latching on to a header by Chidi that fooled the defence, the Brazilian rushed in, beat the marker and then sent the ball in with a clever shot.
The decision to replace Barreto is debatable. Once he went off, JCT took charge of the match. They attacked relentlessly and were unlucky not to find the target. Bagan have themselves to blame for inviting pressure, despite taking a 2-0 lead so early in the match.
The Calcutta team got a golden chance to increase the lead when their Nigerian striker Edeh Chidi was brought down inside the box by Sarabjeet Singh. James Singh’s spot-kick hit the post before it was parried away by JCT goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
Despite JCT’s apparent domination in the midfield, Chidi should have scored twice in the second half. On the second occasion, seasoned Daljit Singh made a goalline save.
At the other end, Sangram Mukherjee was impeccable under the bar. His best came in the first half when he leaped high to save a Baldeep Singh header that looked certain to go in.
Teams
Mohun Bagan: Sangram Mukherjee; Surkumar Singh, Deepak Mondal, Rakesh Masih and Mohanraj; James Singh, Micky Fernandes, Kulothungan (Subhakumar, 69) and Snehasis Chakrabarty (Shantakumar, 72); Edeh Chidi and Jose Barreto (Branco Cardozo, 20).
JCT: Karanjit Singh; Daljit Singh, Sarabjeet Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Jaspal Singh; Baldeep Singh, Penn Orji, Jagpreet Singh (Baljit Sr., 78) and Sakatar Singh (Lalchhuanmawia, 74); Balwant Singh and Baljit Sahni (Balraj Singh, 71). Referee: PK Bose.

Earlier in the day, East Bengal went down 2-0 to Mahindra United, who will meet Mohun Bagan in the Semis.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Bagan begin with a bang!

On a day when their arch rivals East Bengal got kicked out of the Durand Cup being beaten in thier first match against Lajong FC, Mohun Bagan began their campaign in the Cup without any hiccup when they outclassed ONGC 5-1 in a Group II quarter-final league at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday. The victory has put Mohun Bagan in an advantageous position in the three-team group as they now need a draw against JCT in the last league match to advance to the semi-finals. JCT had won 1-0 against ONGC. Pitted against a team that looked absolutely clueless both in the defence and midfield, the 16-time champions camped themselves in the rival half from the very beginning. The Calcutta team, who were up by two goals by the 15th minute, scored through Surkumar Singh (2), Edeh Chidi (2) and Jose Ramirez Barreto. In between the second and the third goal, Mohun Bagan also missed a penalty when Barreto was brought down inside the box by defender A. Naresh. Barreto himself took the spot kick that was saved by a diving ONGC goalkeeper Bilifang Narzary. The Mumbai team custodian, however, wasn’t in his elements when Surkumar Singh struck the first goal in the eighth minute. The Mohun Bagan right back swung a speculative shot towards the rival goal but Narzary, to the utter shock and dismay of his teammates, fumbled to collect and the ball bounced and hit the post before crossing the line. Surkumar Singh had a field day as he picked up his second goal well into the add-on time with a booming 30-yard shot. Encouraged by the success, Mohun Bagan increased the pressure. While their midfielders won almost every ball in the middle, both Edeh Chidi and Barreto looked dangerous whenever they had the ball. In the 18th minute, Chidi picked up the second goal off a melee inside the box. The Nigerian then played a role behind Barreto getting his first goal of the season. Chidi was again on the target in the 78th minute while Babatunde pulled one back for ONGC three minutes later. Teams Mohun Bagan: Sangram Mukherjee; Surkumar Singh, Deepak Mondal, Rakesh Masih and Mohanraj; James Singh (Subhojit Majumdar, 72nd), Micky Fernandes, K Kulothungan (Subha Kumar, 82nd) and Snehasish Chakraborty (Santakumar, 64th); Edeh Chidi and Jose Ramirez Barreto. ONGC: Billifang Narzary; KV Kalu, Kamal Thapa, Chukwuma Udofia and CS Saleel; L Lalmaunpuia, Sandip Sanga, J Lalsangzuala (C Kenistan, 71st) and A Naresh; Kaushik Bose and Babatunde. Report: The Telegraph

Thursday, September 10, 2009

10 men Bagan assure 40th Shield final appearance!

The margin Wednesday was marginal. But that didn’t stop Mohun Bagan from making their 27th IFA Shield final, edging past Chirag United 5-4 on penalties, after 120 minutes of football failed to break the 0-0 deadlock.
Indeed, for Bagan, the semi-final at the Salt Lake stadium began on a wrong note. In the absence of Jose Ramirez Barreto, much of the green and maroon brigade’s hopes were tied to Nigerian Edeh Chidi. But an ugly incident in the 10th minute upset all calculations.
Chidi and Chirag defender Eduardo were involved in a tussle for an aerial ball and that resulted in an altercation. In the heat of the moment, Chidi headbutted Eduardo, causing a minor cut on his nose. and referee .P. Thakur promptly issued marching orders to the Nigerian. Eduardo, who had started the argument, was let off with a yellow card.
The incident led coach Karim Bencharifa to alter his strategy and Bagan switched to defensive mode, employing a 4-4-1 formation, that saw the midfielders falling back time and again to bolster the back four.
Bagan, already at a loss in the absence of a striker, discovered that their attacking options virtually closed. With Kulothungan as the lone man upfront, Bencharifa’s team seldom ventured into rival territory.
Chirag, who enjoyed more ball possession, were hamstrung by the same drawback — a lack of good strikers. Brazilian Joshimar was too slow while Parveen Kumar appeared a rudderless. In the 30th minute, Joshimar failed reach a potentially dangerous cross inside the Bagan box and, then, in the 47th minute, Parveen wasted a Gouranga Biswas cross with only Shilton to beat.
Chirag created more openings in the second half but their finishing let them down. Parminder Singh’s long range effort was the best of the lot. Shilton did well to get his fingers to the ball before it hit the horizontal on its way out.
One wondered whether Chirag coach Subrata Bhattacharya could have deployed more men in the attacking zone, more so when 10-man Bagan were more interested in protecting their citadel and with Shilton in a rebelios mood seemed more than unbeatable. In the end it was Bencharifa’s gamble, of replacing an impressive Shilton with Sangram Mukherjee, in the last minute of extra time, that paid off as the latter blocked the decisive first penalty shot, taken by Jayanta Sen.
Marcos, Rakesh Masih, Snehasish Chakraborty, Surkumar Singh and James Singh converted to see Bagan through. Lalawmpuiya, Eduardo, Lalkamal Bhowmick and Subhasish Roychowdhury were on target for Chirag.
TEAMS: Mohun Bagan: Shilton Paul (Sangram Mukherjee 120’), Surkumar Singh, Deepak Mondal, Rakesh Masih, N. Mohanraj (Biswajit Saha 99’), L. James Singh, Micky Fernandes, Marcos Pereira, K. Kulothungan (Santa Kumar 78’), Snehasish Chakraborty, Edeh Chidi Chirag United: Sandip Nandy, Safar Sardar, Dulal Biswas (Subhasish Roychowdhury 60’), Eduardo, Manas Das, Gouranga Biswas, Jayanta Sen, Lalkamal Bhowmick, Praveen Kumar (Lalawmpuiya 91’), Parminder Singh (Bangkok 75’), Joshimar
Report: The Telegraph

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Bagan into the Semis!

Mohun Bagan going into the match against Mahindra Utd for the Semi finalist decider only had to draw the match having a better goal difference. That's exactly what happened as an exciting game ended in a one all draw.
Bagan went ahead through Snehashish in the first half. From a lovely curving Jame's centre from the right Snehashish flew in from the left and headed in. Mahindra tried to drive issue after conceding the goal but Bagan defence held them off pretty well in the half.
The second half saw the introduction of Steven Dias for Mahindra and withing five minutes, Mahindra equalised through Mijin.
Mahindra knowing that nothing short of a win will see them through committed more men upfront and pressurised the Bagan defense. Somehow it seems that Bagan defense is lacking the strong binding of the defensive four. May be time bind them together but certainly defense will be a worry for Karim going into the semis.
Shilton Pal, the young keeper who had come in place of the Bagan skipper Sangram today, though could have done a bit more in saving the goal which Mijin scored, was otherwise flawless through out the match and saved almost two point blank range strikes from the Mumbai jeep men.
Chidi Edeh was mostly ineffective today courtesy some tight marking from Kali Alauddin, and more so the slushy ground condition also made life difficult for him.
However, play was stopped for a span of 10 mins during the end when MU custodian Shubhashish Roychoydhury was hit by a missile coming off from some dissatisfied spectators.
However play resumed and Bagan defense spear headed by today's captain Dipak Mondal saved the day.
Bagan meet Chirag on the 9th of September.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Bagan kick off in a rollicking style! Trounce George 4-0!

Where City giant, East Bengal started off their 2009 season with a nightmare 3-1 defeat to TFA yesterday in the IFA Shield group stage match and thus knocking themselves out(mathematically) of the competition in the very first match, their City rival Mohun Bagan AC got off to a dream start, pumping four goals against George Telegraph in their season opener match in the IFA Shield Group stage match. Next they meet Mahindra Utd. A mere draw will see them through to the Semi Final against either TFA or Chirag.
Today Bagan debutant Edeh Chidi opened the account for Bagan, and just like Adebayor scored for Manchester City in his very first match for the club in the begging moments of the match, Chidi scored his first goal in the 3rd minute, from a cross from the right.
However, he could have doubled the lead half way into first half from the penalty spot but all he could manage was a shot that sailed high over the cross bar.
However, 38 minutes on the clock, James Singh scored from a header from almost the top of the penalty box.
Barely a minute later, Chidi found himself free and after a solo run, placed calmly past the GT custodian to take the score to 3-0 for Bagan. At half time, score was 3-0 for Bagan.
In the second half, George players did manage to put together something and throw something at Bagan and they managed to the hit the bar twice. Mohunraj in the second half was impressive. Surkumar, Koluthungan, Micky were all impressive considering this was the first match and also the ground condition was a slight slushy owing to the heavy rainfall from last night till today morning.
87th minute on the clock and the substitute Suvo Kumar, from about 35 yards away took a blinder with his left foot, it sailed into the goal much to the joy of an already satisfied house.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Bagan scoop Surkumar Singh!

Mohun Bagan, much to the surprise of all scooped the prolific Indian Right-wing Back Surkumar Singh. Surkumar today visited the Mohun Bagan club along with Rakesh Masih and Dipak Mondal and after some negotiation, signed for Bagan. He was presented his jersey today at the Club Press Meeting.
Last Season, Habibur Rahman Mondal almost single handed took care of the Right back position in all the competitions Bagan participated, Calcutta League, I League, Federation Cup and the AFC Cup. This year, Surkumar will give him some respite.
After an impressive show in the Nehru Cup, Surkumar would be rearing to give his best for the National Club. We wish all the very Best to Surkumar Singh.

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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