Mohun Bagan holds East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby
Sanjoy Sen made a solitary change from the side that triumphed against Salgaocar with Sony Norde making way for Balwant Singh into the lineup. Katsumi Yusa was on the other flank with Azharuddin Mullick and Cornell Glen upfront.
Biswajit Bhattacharya made four changes from the side that drew against Mumbai with Harmanjot Singh Khabra out injured. Do Dong Hyun started up front beside Ranti Martins with Mohammed Rafique and Mehtab Hossein marshaling the midfield. Rahul Bheke and Saumik Dey started in the full back positions while Abinash Ruidas was on the right wing.
It was the Red and Golds only as we kicked off the proceedings with Bhattacharya’s men playing neat passes among themselves leaving the Mohun Bagan midfield in splits.
While Bikash Jairu was running riot down the left wing, leaving Pritam Kotal flustered all throughout, it was the Mariners who had the first real chance of the match. Sony Norde was played on by Pronay Halder down the left into acres of space in the 12th minute but Arnab Mondal was at hand to clear before Cornell could get on the end of it.
Sanjoy Sen decided to introduce Balwant Singh into the proceedings as the U-22 player, Azharuddin Mullick was sacrificed.
It was Kingfisher East Bengal who came close about four minutes later when Bikash Jairu won a corner for his side. Mehtab’s corner could only be headed straight to Debjit in goal, by Arnab.
On the counter, it was Norde again who ran into empty space down the left but he chose to slide it infield to Balwant Singh who managed to ping a shot straight to the grateful hands of TP Rehenesh from about 30 yards out.
While East Bengal played the better football throughout, chances came at a premium. In spite of Jairu’s tireless running down the left, the lack of options in attack meant no one was at the end of his deliveries.
The last couple of chances came at the fag end of the half, first with Sony Norde finding Cornell Glen inside the box whose header was straight to Rehenesh. This was followed up by Abinash Ruidas putting in a lovely ball to an empty Do Dong whose angled header beat both Debjit and the post, being inches wide.
Five minutes after the second half was underway, Mohun Bagan almost opened the scoring after Katsumi Yusa played a lovely through ball to send Cornell on the way but the Trinidad man’s shot across the face of the goal was kept out by Rehenesh.
On the counter Do Dong managed to run at pace at the Mohun Bagan defence who kept on backing way. His shot from inside the box was somehow acrobatically parried away by Debjit who kept his side in the game.
It was finally three minutes after the hour mark that Biswajit Bhattacharya’s men broke the deadlock. It was that man, Bikash Jairu who made one of his darting runs down the left, that he had been doing throughout the match and put in a perfect ball to Ranti Martins who was in all kinds of space. The Nigerian wasted no time and effortlessly volleyed it towards goal past a hapless Debjit.
After Luciano brought down Dong in the 73rd minute just some yards outside the box, Ranti Martins’ free kick towards the far post was somehow kept out by Debjit at full stretch.
However, it was Cornell Glen who leveled the proceedings in the 77th minute. It all came about following a Saumik Dey foul on Katsumi down the left. Sony Norde’s delivery was pinpoint as Glen powered a header that bulged the back of the net, inspite of Rehenesh getting a touch.
Dong came close to recovering East Bengal’s lead in the 84th minute as his freekick was just over but it was Mohun Bagan who had the best chance to win the derby in injury time.
The newly introduced Jeje Lalpekhlua drifted in a lovely weighted ball from the right which Cornell could only head straight to Rehenesh, with the entire goal staring at him. Fortunately, Rahul Bheke was at hand to clear the rebound as Sony Norde was lurking.
The season’s first Kolkata Derby ended up in a stalemate even though East Bengal played the better football over ninety minutes.
MFA’s Nadkarni Cup 2024 kicks off on November 4 with 21 teams competing
The Nadkarni Cup, one of Mumbai’s most cherished football tournaments, is back for its 2024 edition, starting November 4 at the Neville D’Souza Ground in Bandra. Organized annually by the…
MH Oranje FC Reclaims Form with a Gritty Win Over ICL Mumbai in the MPL
After a rocky start to their Mumbai Premier League campaign, MH Oranje FC finally returned to form, clinching their first three points with a gritty win over ICL Mumbai. This…
Mumbai City FC Held to a Frustrating Draw by Ten-Man Odisha FC
In a clash at the Mumbai Football Arena, what seemed like a straightforward victory slipped through Mumbai City FC’s grasp as missed chances and crucial errors paved the way for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…
Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season
Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.