Mariners outplay Arrows to stay alive in title hunt
Indian Arrows went down to Mohun Bagan 0-2 in the final hurrah of the youngsters in Hero I-League 2017-18 at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Wednesday (February 27, 2018).
First-half goals from Dipanda Dicka (26‘) and Akram Moghrabi (41‘) found the back of the net in the first half and these two strikes were enough for the Mariners to keep their title hope alive whose tally reaches to 27 with two games left.
Meanwhile, Arrows who are the youngest-ever team to compete in the I-League history, finish tenth in the league with fifteen points from their 18 outings. In their final game of the season, Luis Norton de Matos rang in five changes from their defeat against Aizawl FC as Jitendra Singh, Amarjit Singh, Rahim Ali, Rahul KP were introduced in the starting XI.
As for Bagan, Sankarlal Chakraborty made only one change with Kinshuk Debnath taken off to fit in Rana Gharami in defence. Bagan looked to have come with a plan and Nikhil Kadam, Dipanda Dicka and Azharuddin Mallick all looked dangerous up front. Kadam was spraying balls all around and Dicka kept Anwar Ali, Jitendra Singh and the Arrows backline on their toes.
However, Indian Arrows also matched up to Bagan and had their moments with Amarjit Singh drawing a fine save from Bagan custodian Shilton Paul. Rahim Ali was operating up front with bursts of energy and tried a shot from distance that lacked precision. Meanwhile, Bagan showed their clinical edge and Dicka demonstrated why he is such a goal-scoring predator.
The forward drew first blood in the 26th minute. Arrows left space between their defence and midfield and Bagan exploited it. Dicka got in behind Jitendra Singh who failed to read a lob down the middle from Cameron Watson. Instinctively, Dicka controlled it, positioned himself and struck an overhead kick on the volley. It was a goal of pure skill as the Cameroonian scored his 12th of the season. Bagan enjoyed the bulk of possession and looked dangerous going forward and doubled the lead in 15 minutes.
Sankarlal made a substitution with Gurjinder Singh replacing Ricky Lallawmawma in the 37th minute. Gurjinder made an instant impact as he delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box from the left wing.
It begged a touch and Akram Moghrabi, having perfectly slid in, slammed the ball home as the Kolkata giants led 2-0 at half-time. Early in the second half, Dicka had a chance to double his tally. A cross from Kadam found the forward who couldn’t connect cleanly as Arrows were let off.
Arrows were growing into the game and a free-kick was quickly worked into the path of Anwar who miscued his shot. They had some promising moments. Deepak Tangri laid off a brilliant ball into the path of Rahul Balan. However, Rahul ended up blazing his shot over the bar, although he had the time and space to make a better decision.
There was no late drama compared to the reverse fixture as Mohun Bagan ran out with all three points from Tilak Maidan. The Kolkata giants are left with another outing in Goa as they’ll face Churchill Brothers FC Goa in their penultimate fixture of Hero I-League 2017-18 on March 3, 2018.
Also Read: Inspired Gaurs face ATK next as play-off race gets tricky
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updated on Indian Football
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
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…