Mohun Bagan thrashed defending champions Bengaluru FC 3-0 at home to keep their title home alive. Bagan played with absolute dominance in front of their home support at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium. The green and maroon brigade saw goals from Katsumi Yusa and Darryl Duffy to see them through to a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Both Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC decided to give their premier strikers a rest after their international duty. So both Jeje and Chettri were on their respective benches. With both their U-22 players unavailable for selection, Bagan coach Sanjay Sen decided to field youngster Azharuddin Mallick up front. This meant that Balwant Singh would also be on the bench.
Mohun Bagan started the match on the front foot and showed some talent going upfront. And they were almost a goal up but Duffy missed the chance to put his name on the scoresheet. But Bagan were rewarded for their attacking endeavours as Katsumi scored on the 14th-minute mark. It was a low-lying shot which trickled into the net after goal Bengaluru’s goalkeeper Amrinder got his hands to it.
On the 25th minute mark, Duffy made amends for his earlier mistake as he found the back of the net throughout a Norde assist. Bagan went into half-time with a two-goal advantage and the match firmly in their grips.
Bagan went 3-0 ahead in the 53rd minute of the match when Katsumi scored his second of the night. But the goal was made up thanks to some pure magic from Sony Norde. When the Haitian received the ball he was well within his own half but then he turned and swiveled past almost the whole of Bengaluru’s defense and eventually set up the goal for Katsumi.
The win keeps Bagan’s title hopes well and truly alive.They are now in the third position with 26 points and they still have a game in hand. If Bagan were to win this extra match then they will be just one point away from leaders Aizawl FC.
