Kolkata Derby ends in stalemate
SILIGURI: There was colour and there was noise as much but it didn’t yield any goals. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan played a goalless draw in the Kolkata Derby in front of a full house at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri on Sunday (February 12, 2017).
Courtesy the result, East Bengal consolidated their position at the top of the table moving to 20 points from 8 matches while Mohun Bagan stay at the second spot moving to 17 points from 7 matches.
The first chance of the match came in the 14th minute but East Bengal Goalkeeper TP Rehenesh adjudged the ‘Hero of the match’ dived to his left to thwart off Pritam Kotal’s deft push following a delectable Sony Norde cross.
East Bengal had their first shy at the rival goal in the 23rd minute but Willis Deon Plaza following up a Robin Singh through pass couldn’t put it past Bagan Goalkeeper Debjit Mazumder who dived to his right to thwart it off.
Mohun Bagan had their best chance in the 35th minute following a Sony corner. With the ball viciously dipping in at the last moment, Rehenesh managed to keep it off but with him out of position, Bagan’s Central defender Eduardo Ferreira failed to tap it in.
Plaza was in the thick of things in the 41st minute when he spun the web past three but held on to the ball for a bit too long for it to be cleared by Eduardo.
In the 43rd minute, Bagan Central defender Shoubhik Chakraborty got past a couple at the top of the East Bengal box but his effort was too weak to get past Rehenesh.
Changing over and with the lights on, Nikhil Pujari’s persistence helped East Bengal earn the first corner in the 52nd minute but it didn’t yield any result.
East Bengal could have taken the lead in the 57th minute but Debjit’s reflexes under the Bagan bar denied them. Plaza did all the right things – first by following up Robin Singh’s back header even as he shielded Eduardo over his shoulder, but his placement was fisted off by an acrobatic Debjit. It was perhaps the easiest chance of the match.
East Bengal made their first substitution in the 68th minute – Haokip coming in for Robin Singh.
In the 71st a lucky deflection landed Yusa Katsumi in a favourable position but Bukenya recovered fast to deny it for a corner, which eventually went abegging.
Two minutes later, Darryl Duffy went on a solo run and earned another corner for Bagan, but this one too didn’t create any danger.
Immediately after, Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen brought in his first change – Balwant Singh replacing Jeje Lalpekhlua and then the second substitution came in the 86th minute – this time Prabir Das replacing Sony.
In the very next minute, Plaza after being found in the clear by a long ball from Lalrindika Ralte stayed guilty of holding on for too long enabling the Bagan defenders to close him down.
In the injury time, off a counter attack, Bukenya managed to get a foot to Balwant’s intended pass to Duffy high otherwise, would have provided the latter with the easiest of the chance to tap in. But it stayed goalless.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant produce magnificent triumph to storm into second straight ISL final after 2-0 win against Odisha FC
Kolkata, April 28: Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged triumphant against the Odisha FC by 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight to win the second leg of their…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
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.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…