Mohun Bagan played their first match of the Federation Cup against DSK Shivajians at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. And Bagan blew away their competition in handsome style as they won the match 4-0.
Sanjay Sen had decided to rest most of his first team players for the AFC Cup away match. He himself did not choose to travel with the team. But for their match against DSK, Sanjay Sen was back at pitch side and so were his first team players. Balwant Singh and Duffy were the chosen pair of attackers that Sanjay Sen went into the match with. This meant that Jeje again was limited to the bench. Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa both started the match for Mohun Bagan.
Mohun Bagan took the match by the scruff of the neck right from the word go. And they were deservingly rewarded for their early pressure in the 24th minute of the match. Sony Norde put in an inch-perfect cross into the box and Balwant was there to head it into the back of the net. The first half of the match totally belonged to Mohun Bagan who troubled DSK with their attacking spree.
23' MB 1 (Balwant) DSK 0; Balwant scored from a trademark header off Sony's brilliant cross.#MBvBFC #HeroFedCup pic.twitter.com/jQxbQ19auv
— Mohun Bagan Fanatics (@MB_Fanatics1889) May 8, 2017
In the second half, Bagan scored the second goal of the match and this time it was the Scottish Darryl Duffy who put his name on the score sheet. Norde turned provider once again after his corner found the head of Duffy. In the end, it was a simple goal for the foreigner.
65' MB 2 (Balwant, Duffy) DSK 0; Duffy has increased the lead scoring via a header off Sony's corner kick#MBvBFC #HeroFedCup pic.twitter.com/SZ1QYDGd4W
— Mohun Bagan Fanatics (@MB_Fanatics1889) May 8, 2017
Balwant scored the third goal of the match and his second of the night in the 71st minute. His long ranged left footer beat the DSK goalkeeper and crept into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. With the match done and dusted Sanjay Sen decided to rest Daryl Duffy and give Jeje some game time.
Man of the Match performance:
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Sen also decided to give Balwant a much-deserved rest. Balwant was easily the star performer for Bagan in the match. His work rate throughout the match was truly commendable and he deservedly capped it up with two goals against his name. If scoring three goals was not enough, Bagan rubbed some more salt into the wounds of DSK as they scored the fourth goal deep into injury time. This time substitute Jeje got his name on the scoresheet.
goallllllllllllllll Jeje has scored the fourth goal for us pic.twitter.com/HGst4AtrsR
— Mohun Bagan Fanatics (@MB_Fanatics1889) May 8, 2017
Bagan are top of the table:
Mohun Bagan have made a fine start to their campaign and this empathic win is more than just a statement of intent from the Mariners. Bengaluru FC have also won their match against Shillong Lajong. But it is Mohun Bagan who are currently the group leaders on the basis of goal difference. The Mariners play their next match on the 10th of May against Shillong Lajong whereas Bengaluru FC takes on DSK Shivajians.
