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.
No comments:
Post a Comment