Mohun Bagan picked up their second win in the Federation Cup in as many matches. The Mariners beat Shillong Lajong at the Barabati Stadium in a five-goal thriller.
Mohun Bagan saw goals from Darryl Duffy, Sony Norde and Katsumi Yusa as they beat the team from the North-East 3-2 on the night. Bagan went in with a similar attacking formation to the previous match they played against DSK. Balwant Singh was the striker of choice for coach Sanjay Sen. This meant that Jeje Lalpekhlua again found himself on the substitutes bench. It turned out to be an eventful night for Bagan as all three of their foreigners managed to get a goal.
Foreigners strike force:
Mohun Bagan started the match on the wrong foot though as they went 1-0 behind in the third minute. It was Pritam Kotal who was at fault as the defender put the ball into the back of his own net while trying to clear the ball.
But Mohun Bagan responded brilliantly as they got their equaliser within the next two minute through Darryl Duffy. Duffy was found neatly via a brilliant through ball by Souvik Chakraborty and the Scotsman did not miss the chance to score.
Just before the hour mark, Mohun Bagan got a free-kick outside the Lajong penalty box. And it was Sony Norde who stepped up to take the free-kick. And true to his reputation, he curled the ball over the wall and into the back of the net. The free-kick was from the top drawer and the goalkeeper was beaten all ends up.
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In the 43rd minute, it was Norde who turned provider this time. The Haitian fizzed a cross into the box and Katsumi Yusa arrived late at the back post to bundle the ball into the net. And Bagan went into half-time with a comfortable two goal advantage.
In the second half, Bagan decided to sit back on their two-goal cushion and did not want to take any further risks.
Shillong did manage to pull one back late in the second half. Yuto Kinowaki’s shot took a wicked deflection and went in the goal as Debjit Majumder went the wrong way. But the goal came all too for Lajong as Bagan held on to their lead and ultimately won the match 3-2.
Mohun Bagan next play Bengaluru FC in their last Gropu B match.
