Bagan seek devine intervention!

The club officials today along with every team member and the coach paid a visit to Kalighat to pray for a better performance in the rest of the I league. In the past two matches balls have stayed out of the opposition's goal where as balls have got entangled in the Bagan goal more often. Balls hitting the post, defence committing horrible mistakes have made President Sadhan Bose, aka Tutu Bose comment that " I pray to Maa Kali that she forgives of us of any wrong doing, if we have done unknowingly, and may she keep the players free of injury and may the Bagan score goals instead of hitting the post." He also joined, "Maa Kali has never denied Mohun Bagan, and I am sure She will not this time."

The whole team including Bhaichung, Habibur, Venkatesh, Manju every one went except for Barreto who was back at the club ground nursing his injury.

On another development, Bagan in search of the fourth foreigner has contacted a Vasco Da Gama midfielder who is to reach Kolkata shortly.

Viva kerala take sweet revenge!

Viva kerala today took sweet revenge of their ONGC defeat against Mohun Bagan by emerging victorious dumping Bagan 3-1 in Kolkata in their I League tie.

Bagan conceded an early goal owing to some sloppy defending by Bagan backs Douglas, Odafe.

Bagan failed to capitalise on a lot of chances as Lalampuia missed a couple.

The second goal was a howler out of a misunderstanding between Shilton and Odafe.

Ishfaq who came on as a substitute scored the only goal for Bagan in the 73rd minute.

Still lot of chances went Begging for Bagan as Balls hit the post, bar, keeper saving a few.

The third goal came in the 90th minute and Bagan had no way back from there.

Bagan have played 2 matches and lost both.

Bagan aim to set things right!

Tomorrow Mohun Bagan meet Viva Kerala at the Salt Lake Stadium and will give their best to set things right for them after they lost the first match against JCT. Mohun Bagan last met Viva Kerala this season at the Fed Cup where they won 3-1. But this Viva Kerlala side is completely different from the one of Fed Cup because now they have enrolled a few quality foreigners and are determined to put up a good show. Bagan have to put their best foot forward in the absence of their Brazilian ace Barreto who will miss the tie because of an injury.

Bagan stumble against JCT!

Mohun Bagan went down 2-1 in the I league opener against JCT today at Kolkata. The show put up by Bagan seemed like a sad story with a few disjointed episodes. Hope this match works as an eye opener for Perierra and his boys and they realise that I league is a totally different ball game and the standard of football is much higher than the local league. It was evident that Douglas and Odafe are the two blunders signings for Bagan this season. The duo some how carried on in the Kolkata league but their limited capabilty gave way to numerous loop holes in the Bagan defence and midfield.

Perriera moreover made a tacttical mistake by playing an injured Barreto in the 1st half and then bringing on Lalampuia in the second replacing Barreto when he is one goal down.

To add on to this, there were the howler misses from the Bagan striking force.

Lalam hit the side netting from a handshaking distance from the goal, and Venkatesh who was set up with a beautiful ball only could hit the keeper. Barreto also missed a chance in the 1st half.

And to add to the woes of Bagan the JCT goalie was at the top of his game saving at least 2 sure goals.

Bagan conceded a goal in the opening quarter of the match courtesy a wonderful free kick from the JCT man Eduardo. The defence and the midfield seemed to be floundering in darkness with miss passes and erratic play. The first half continued with both the teams getting chances to score.

In the second half also Bagan went all out after a few minutes and the flat footed Bagan defence found it hard to cope up with the young gun Chettri and the Brazilian Eduardo creating gapping immense amount of space for the duo to work, but fortunately for Bagan JCT could only put in one other goal in the entire 2nd half.

In the dying minutes, Odafe headed a strong header only to pull one back.

Team: Shilton, Basfore(Lalkamal), Rauf, Odafe, Maria, Douglas, Venkatesh, James, Dharamjit, Bhaichung, Barreto(Lalam)

Bagan meet JCT tomorrow! Barreto to play!

Mohun Bagan tomorrow meet JCT Mills in their I league opener in the Salt Lake Stadium. Previously there was a doubt over Barreto's availability in the match due to his injury but today evening he affirmed that though he is not 100% fit, yet he thinks he is good enough to play. He thinks the match will not be easy and have to play real good to earn 3 points.

Even coach Carlos Periera voiced the same about tomorrow's match. " It is our home match so we should play good, but its not going to be easy..." that is what the coach had to say.

Bagan will have to put their best foot forwards against JCT.

The probable team: Shilton, Odafe, Maria, Siddique, Subhashish,Dharamjit, James, Douglas, Venkatesh, Bhaichung, Barreto.

To play or not to play!

Barreto is with a dilemma whether to play in the I league opener against JCT on Monday. He had injured himself during the last match of the CFL against Mohd. Sp. and the coach has left Barreto to decide whether he is fit enough to play or not. Manju, however, is also not available owing to an ankle injury that he has sustained during practice. Thus all in all Bagan might miss the services the Barreto who will rest himself for one match keeping mind the long season up ahead and Manju's possibility has already been ruled out.

Mohun Bagan in search of the fourth foreigner!

According to the new rules of the I league, the federation has sanctioned 4 foreigners for each team and thus both the giants of Kolkata has embarked on their search for the fourth foreigner. Bagan officials have decided to hold Douglas, Odafe and Barreto for the I league. Bagan coach Carlos Alberto Periera has already come in contact with a few brazilian players and have seen their match Cds. But it has been made clear that Bagan wont rush in for the fourth foreigner, "until and unless we get a very very good foreigner" so as to quote the coach.

I league Fixture Declared!

The AIFF has officially released the fixture for the upcoming I league. The AIFF officials feel that “There could be some changes in the draw at the later stages, so clubs have been informed only up to the sixth round. However, the AIFF might release the entire schedule in the next couple of days.”

However, according to thefull fixture, The big derby, Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal has been scheduled for 29th of December!

THE SCHEDULE (TILL SIXTH ROUND)

Nov. 26: Mohun Bagan vs JCT (Calcutta).

Nov. 29: Mohun Bagan vs Viva Kerala (Calcutta)

Dec. 2: Mohun Bagan vs Sporting Clube de Goa (Calcutta)

Dec. 8: Mohun Bagan vs Air India (Calcutta),

Dec. 12: Dempo vs Mohun Bagan (Goa)

Dec. 16: Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan (Goa),

Lalam and Shilton! The couple that saved Bagan's Day!

Mohun Bagan today ended their CFL 2007 campaign on a wining note, thanks to a wonderful goal from young gun Lalampuia and an excellent penalty save by another young mariner, Shilton Paul. The result of the match would not have any changes to the League as Mohun Bagan had already won the league with one match to spare. And moreover with the I league drawing close, coach Perriera did not field many of his key players. Barreto had started off with Kumaresh Bhawal, who retired today after 15 mins of the game and went off amidst a huge round of applause. He was the captain of Bagan for the day. Lalam was brought in. Bagan kept on the attacks and so did Mohd Sporting at times. However with a goal line save from Douglas and a few mssed opportunities by James and Lalampuia, the first half came to an end. With the beginning of the second half Bagan seemed to play a much better game. Lalamkamal and Dharamjit along with James in the midfield supplied Lalam and Barreto with a few good balls and one such balls was sent in the from the right and found Barreto who tried to stretch an inch too far and injured him. Though it has been known that Barreto's injury is not serious, Barreto was taken off after that incident and Gobin was sent in. On the 88th minute, a Lalkamal pass found Lalampuia after coming off a Mohd. Sporting defender. Lalam did no mistake in slotting the ball home for Bagan. However, in the last minute of the extra time, Mohd. Sporting was awarded a penalty after what seemed a hand ball by a Bagan defender. Kuluthungan stepped up for Mohd. Sp. to take the kick and Shilton came up with a spectacular save to deny the Sporting man and literally Mohun Bagan earned 3 points. Mohun Bagan end the League with 36 points from 14 matches, an astonishing 10 points clear of arch rivals East Bengal who ended up being second with 26 points.

Bagan aim to finish League unbeaten! Kumaresh Bhawal to be Captain of Bagan for tomorrow!

Mohun Bagan tomorrow end their CFL campaign. They play Mohd. Sporting in the Salt Lake Stadium. Bagan is aiming to finish the League in a good note, i.e to finish the League unbeaten. Last time in 2005 when Bagan won the last CFL, they had ended their League on an unbeaten note with only one match draw. But this season Mohun Bagan already have 3 draws under their belt. Tomorrow's match will be a tough one, Mohd Sporting is no push over. Bagan were held goalless in the 1st leg by Mohd. Sporting and Mohd. Sporting has already beaten East Bengal 2-1 in the 2nd leg of the leg after going down 6-2 in the 1st Leg. More over Bagan will miss the services of Manju, Habibur and skipper Bhaichung due to injuries. Barreto will however be playing and will try to retain his status as the highest scorer in the League. He will be accompanied by Kumaresh Bhawal, the honorary signing for Bagan this year. Kumaresh Bhawal will captain Mohun Bagan for this one match he will retire after tomorrow's match. Kumaresh Bhawal has been honoured by Bagan for his involvement in foiling a match fixing in 2005.

Mohun Bagan has started getting ready for the National League which from this year will be called as the "I League" the professional football league of India. Bagan open their I League campaign against JCT Mills in Barasat stadium on the 26th of November.

Mohun Bagan clinch Kolkata League!

Today Mohun Bagan became the Champion of the Calcutta Footbal League 2007, with one match to spare. A near capacity crowd had gathered sensing a Bagan victory, and a Bagan victory it was!

From the beginning Mohun Bagan kept up the pressure. Bagan fielded Bhaichung and Lalam upfront and Barreto playing the role of a playmaker. The half rolled amidst much clamour and after about 25 mins, came the spark of brilliance from Lalampuia, whose side volley found the back of the net! Mohun Bagan still kept attacking and created quite a few chances, but failed to make god use of them.

The second half commenced and Mohun Bagan clearly held the upper hand. Just a few minutes into the 2nd Half, a ball from the right found Lalam who hit the cross-bar.

Again another chance was put to waste by Bhaichung as a free ball was gifted by Barreto, but Bhaichung put it wide.

And a few more mintues later, the winner came for Bagan through Bhaichung himself.

A long ball found Bhaichung and the Peerless keeper and Bhaichung gaining controll of the ball pushed it goal wards.

The Match ended 2-0 and Mohun Bagan win the 2007 CFL. Last time they had wonthis league in 2005.

Bagan meet Peerless today!

Mohun Bagan today face Peerless in their penultimate match of the CFL and will go for victory straight away because a 3 point will Mohun Bagan as the Champion of the 2007 Calcutta Premier League.

Peerless will be a tough opponent as they have proved before. In the 1st Leg Peerless in their match against East Bengal had gone 2-0 up, but thanks to some partial refereeing decisions which saw the game abandoned. Even against Mohun Bagan, Peerless after going down 2-0, came back sharply to draw level, but Venkatesh put in the last minute winner to clinch valuable 3 points for Bagan.

Bagan match postponed, I league in sight

With just one match to win the CFL, Bagan's CFL matches against Peerless and Mohd. SP. were postponed owing to All Bengal Strike. Today Bagan was scheduled to play their League winner against Peerless, but following a Mamta Banerjee strike, Bagan's match has been scheduled for Wednesday, the 14th of November.

The I League, which is the new name for the Indian proffessional League, starts off from the last week of November and Bagan meet JCT on the 26th of November in Kolkata.

Diwali comes early in Bagan!

Today Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal continuously for the 6th time in the Kolkata League. Bagan emerged victorious ridding a brace, courtesy Barreto and some excellent goal keeping from Shilton Paul.

The match kicked off with both the teams attacking each other. As the match rolled on in the 1st half, it more or less turned out to be who had a better midfield. East Bengal were playing a compact defence with Surkumar, Suresh, Bolajai and Debrata. In stark contrast, Bagan fielded a completely new set of players at the defence, Shubhasish, Manju, Maria, Habibur.

For Manju it was his first match for Bagan and first big match after the Nehru cup final. Maria came came into the team just a match back, and both Habibur and Subhashis were not regulars for the past matches.

Shilton pulled of a stunner from the feet of a colorless Edmilson, which could have "goal" written all over it. Both Manju and Subhashis took time to settle down and Douglas found it hard to cope up with the pace of the game and ended up committing needless foul on a number of occasions.

The half ended on even ground, both the teams putting in their best.

Soon after the beginning of the second half, the stadium erupted in joy as Barreto, from a long pass from Dharamjit, wrestled his way past Suresh and placed a wonderfully placed left footer past the goalie, who spread himself across the goal in vane!

Quite surprisingly after the goal, Bagan stepped on the gas and presented a much improved performance and stringed together some beautiful passes to create a number of chances.

Midway in the half, Shilton came up with another stunner off a side volley from Edmilson. A sure goal, was punched out by a flying Shilton who bended back to keep the ball off goal.

Mohun Bagan kept on the pressure and on the 92nd minute, Bhaichung was presented with a ball from Barreto. Bahichung found himself free and running towards the goal in full stream. 1:1 with the keeper, Subrata Paul pounced on Bhaichung pulling him to ground inside the penalty box, an inevitable penalty and Barreto calmly placed it in!

Full time: 2-0

Mohun Bagan defeat East Bengal six times straight in the CFL!

Bagan need to win just one match from the remaining two and they will be CFL champions.

TEAM: Shilton, Maria, Manju, Shubhashis, Habibur, Douglas, Venkatesh(Lalkamal), Dharamjit, James(Anit), Barreto, Bhaichung(Lalampuia)

Kolkata Derby today!

Mohun Bagan meet their arch rivals East Bengal today in their CFL draw. Mohun Bagan lead the table with two points and need to extend their lead to ensure the CFL. The match starts off from 3.00pm at the Salt Lake Stadium.

As the derby draws close...

As the mother of all derbies, the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan AC and Kingfisher East Bengal draws close, tension in both the tents rise. Besides being a derby, this game will also be the Title decider. The winner moves one step closer to wining the Kolkata League.

Both the teams have been somewhat strenghtened by the arrival of a few players from the National Camp.

For Bagan though, Periera's frown has reasons to increase, as Manju, the Indian defender mayb not be able to stand in the defensive wall as he was down with fever and now is not fit enough to play. Bhaichung will feature upfront with Barreto probably. Even the pressence of Lalkamal in the Derby is a doubt.

And with young guns like Tapan Maity, LalamPuia, siting on the sideline for the Derby, Periera is having a tough time to decide upon the starting eleven.

Douglas shines as Bagan derail Eastern Rail!

Bagan today emerged with 3 points convincingly against Eastern Rail and hold their two points lead against East Bengal in the league as they go into the Derby on the 6th of November.

Barreto was sitting out with two yellows cards but his absence was not felt thanks to some good play by Douglas. Odafe, who has already been pushed aside for the Derby giving way for Douglas and Barreto also gaurded the defense well along with Sanjeev Maria.

Lalam started with the pio, Sewram Gobin. From the start Mohun Bagan kept the pressure and forced the opposition's goalie on his toes who pulled out two stunners to deny Bagan the opening goal in the 21st minute. However soon enough Bagan drew first blood through a Dharamjit corner which was headed home by Douglas. The game mostly happened in the Eastern Rail's half and Douglas coming in handy as a blocker in the midfield. Just before the half Bagan went 2-0 ahead, courtesy a Venkatesh goal. The ball was floated in from the right flank which was efficiently back-headed by Gobin and Venkatesh finding himself in a 1:1 situation with the goalie chipped the ball in the net.

The second half did not see much goal mouth action but Douglas reigned supreme in the midfield with distributing well and snatching occasionally. He was later announced the Man of the match.

Ten minutes to full time, Tapan Maity, a talented youngster who had drawn attention during the Santosh trophy, was introduced in place of Venkatesh. Just seconds after he was fielded received a pass from Dharamjit and sent in an inch perfect through ball for Ayan, who had been brought in for Gobin, who netted the third for Bagan.

A couple of chances were missed by both Lalam and Dharamjit but did not cost them dear.

Bagan go into the Derby with a two point lead on the 6th of November.

Team: Shilton, Basfore[Subhasish], Maria, Odafe, Rahul, Dharamjit(C), Douglas, Venkatesh[Tapan], James, Gobin[Ayan], Lalawmpuia

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Habibur out of action

Habibur Rahman Mondal will be out of action for indefinite period after last week he went unconscious a couple of times during the practice session.

He has been treated and it was reported that he suffers from a certain kind of nerve problem.

Bagan to feature in Friend's Cup! Douglas to be released before NFL!

Mohun Bagan will fly off to Bangladesh along with Mohammedan SP. to play in the "Friend's Cup" which will oraganised in Bangladesh. The date has not yet been finalised, but it is reported that an official invitation had been sent to Mohun Bagan AC and that club Secretary Anjan Mitra has accepted it on the club's behalf.

Meanwhile, Bagan play their Round 11 game on the 28th of October against Railway F.C. Bagan will be missing the services of their Brazilian Ace, Jose Ramirez Barreto who will be out on account of two yellow cards and hence Lalam is most likely to start with Sewram Gobin. Today, however, Rauf Khan suffered from minor injury in the practice session.

Club treasurer, Debashish Dutta, today confirmed that except for Barreto, not a single foreigner has his place settled in the team. Douglas who has been brought back for the remainder of the CFL most probably will not feature for Mohun Bagan in the NFL along with Peter Odafe if they fail to perform. In which case, the search for not only the third foreigner, rather two foreigners is still on for Bagan.

Douglas to start practice from tommorow!

Douglas D' Silva who had dawned the Green and Maroon jersey last year wil be again seen in action for Bagan this season again. Earlier this season, Bagan had released Douglas who had gone to an Australian football club to give trial. However realisng the need of a central midfielder cum blocker in the side, Douglas had been contacted and has been prefrred because of his big pressence in the field and also his experience will stand in good stead for Bagan in the NFL. He has finally reached Kolkata after much speculation and tomorrow he is all set to start his practice. The Mariners now hope they can close the lock gate for their opponents.

Perriera cautioned!

Perriera was cautioned by the club officials for the team's poor performance of late. Perriera has not been threatened or given an ultimatum but warned. He has been asked to see to it that upliftment of the team's performance is sought immediately and although not stated expressly, one can come to the conclusion that if the brazillian fails, his career as a Bagan coach might meet an early end.

Perriera, however, when asked to comment on this incident, said that he will try his best to work for the betterment of the team.