The hosts then came back in the second half – taking the lead through Hero of the Match Buam in the 53rd minute, but an outsanding freekick in the 78th minute from Sony Norde saw the Mariners level scores. The Khalid Jamil-coached side struck back again through Britto in the 88th minute to finally seal the game in their favour. Mohun Bagan with this win finished their 2019 season at the fifth place in the 12th Hero I-League with 29 points to their kitty.

The game began with Shillong Lajong FC playing in Red while Mohun Bagan played in white. Visitors Mohun Bagan started the game on an attacking note but Shillong Lajong FC were equally agile not allowing the visitors an easy approach. The Kolkata giants made their intent very clear from the start building pressure on Shillong Lajong’s defence line and the effects were clearly visible when a miscommunication between Shillong’s defender Aiban and Goal Keeper Phurba Lachempa resulted in the latter receiving a yellow card and giving away a penalty kick to Mohun Bagan for a foul on Dipanda Dicka. The forward thereafter made no mistake in converting the penalty kick giving Mohun Bagan a very crucial lead in the 4th minute.

Shillong Lajong FC, despite the early setback, did not lose hope and kept trying to create chances but somehow could not convert any to their favour mostly due to the lack of a good finish. Though the Red Devils were the ones who had the lions share of the ball possession, it was Mohun Bagan who kept continuously pressing hard trying to double their lead. Dipanda Dicka along with Sony Norde made a few attempts but a more alert Lajong Defence ensured the visitors do not extend their lead any further.

The hosts, on the other hand, made some interesting attempts and nearly scored through Donboklang within the regulation time in the first half, but the woodwork played a spoilsport for them. They did not stop trying and were soon rewarded in the first minute of added time at the end of the first 45 minutes when a soft push from Arijit Bagui on Phrangki Buam inside the box saw the latter earning a penalty for the hosts. Buam thereafter made no mistakes in finding the much-needed equalizer for Shillong Lajong FC in the 46th minute, bringing the first half to an end.

The second half began with Shillong Lajong FC pressing hard right from the start. The combination of Donbokland, Buam and Mahesh kept making consistent attacks right from the start troubling the Bagan defence and results soon came their way when an inch-perfect pass from Donboklang to Pharngki Buam saw the latter make no mistakes in beating Shankar Roy to find the back of the net taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute.

Mohun Bagan, who were now trailing by a goal, shifted gears and increased the pressure trying to make opportunities to find an equalizer, but full credit to an alert defence of the Red Devils, the Mariners were unable to find a way to score. Mohun Bagan’s efforts for an equalizer gained pace in the second – last quarter of the second half and Britto’s introduction in the 72nd minute just added a lot of sheen to the combination of Sony Norde and Dipanda Dicka.

Results soon came when just six minutes later in the 78th minute Sony Norde showcased his class scoring an outstanding equalizer from a free kick which came their way after Freestar’s tackle on William was penalized just outside the box.

Jamil’s side then came back hard on the young Lajong Defence making a series of attempts but somehow could not finish to take the lead. Shillong, who made a few attempts through Buam and Donbok, could not find the right angle to redeem their state to take the crucial lead that they lost to a silly tackle. Mohun Bagan, however, found their way when Britto scored in the 88th minute on a rebound that was a result of a good save by Phurba Lachempa from a Dipanda Dicka attempt taking the scoreline to 2-3 in the Mariners’ favour.

Also Read: Joseph winner helps Gokulam steer clear of relegation

Also Read: Esqueda and East Bengal take title race to final day!

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The game is scheduled for a 5 PM IST kick-off.

Mohun Bagan currently sit in the sixth spot with 26 points from 18 matches while Floyd Pinto-coached Indian Arrows are a spot behind on seventh with 18 points from 19 matches.

Indian Arrows coach Floyd Pinto said in the pre-match press conference, “Definitely the campaign has been more successful than last season, we are not concerned about the relegation though we are fighting for it. The boys are only getting better with time.”

“Mohun Bagan will be playing at their home ground which will be an advantage for them, but we are hoping to get the three points tomorrow. The attitude of the boys is much more positive. We are looking forward to the Hero Super Cup and I am confident with our abilities for tomorrow’s match.”

Mohun Bagan will start favorites though. However, their record of one defeat, one draw and one win in their last three games will be worrisome for their form, while Indian Arrows have lost two and drawn one going into Thursday’s game.

Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka’s double strike had settled the issue in the first-leg clash between the two sides. Khalid Jamil, looking for nothing less than a win said, “We are prepared for tomorrow’s match. We have to fight as we fought before and will be playing with a good team and the opponents should not be taken lightly. They are young and fight for every ball. This is our last home match of this season and we should be at our best.”

On the other hand, the Arrows have exhibited no fear of losing and will look to finish on a high. Coach Floyd Pinto could be proud of his work for the season and that of his boys and a win in the last game against Bagan will be the proverbial icing on the cake.

Also Read: ISL title will make consistent Goa complete

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The match kicks off at 2 pm IST.

Hosts Aizawl is seventh with 14 points from 15 games. The Mizoram team has now picked up five points since new coach Stanley Rosario took over. They also have a game in hand over Bagan.

Bagan, on the other hand, is currently sixth and will give it their all to finish as high up the table as possible.

Aizawl is clear favorites for this game. The first leg in Kolkata ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to a brilliant freekick by David in added time. That game probably started Bagan’s slide. Aizawl beat Minerva Punjab FC in their previous game. Surely a confidence booster! Bagan has lost one and drawn two, going into Saturday’s contest.

Bagan looks formidable thanks to an attack comprising of Cameroon striker Dipanda Dicka (he has scored seven goals so far), Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka and Haitian winger Sony Norde.

Coach Khalid Jamil was very clear about his ambitions at the pre-match press conference: “We are not thinking about the past. We are not taking tomorrow’s match lightly. We are trying to concentrate all through the 90 minutes. Aizwal’s management is good and they have good players. We must finish well, our target is to finish top four.”

The new coach is trying to build a fighting unit. He is known to be defensive in his approach. Bagan has displayed a compact and tactical defence. The back-four comprising of Eze Kingsley, Gurtej Singh, Bikramjtit Singh, and Amey Ranawade has exhibited a valiant defensive show. They have cut-off the supply for the opposition.

Aizawl’s last game against Gokulam Kerala was postponed. They were stuck in Kashmir due to heavy snowfall after their match against Real Kashmir FC. Aizawl, therefore, will play after a rest of 15 days. That would be an added advantage on home turf!

Coach Stanley Rozario drove home that point in the pre-game presser: “After I got the charge of the team, there were a few transformations and we had different results in the past three matches and they were all big matches.

“Tomorrow’s game is with a big team and we will try to give our best. The Mizo players are very talented. If they play well and as a team then definitely we can be in a better position,” he said. “The three points are very important for us tomorrow. Mohun Began has good players but they are also struggling for results. We have an upper hand since its a home match,” he said.

They have had sparks in Mapuia and David, while foreigners Kromah, Dodoz and Jaryan have been at par. For some reason, the team has not been able to gel well. We are all set for an entertaining game of football!

Also Read: Gokulam face Arrows as Super Cup qualification beckons

Also Read: Ralte tricks as East Bengal slam five past Lajong

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It was Bagan’s second successive win at home under coach Khalid Jamil. Though both teams had their chances still Norde’s 78th-minute goal sealed the deal.

The Kolkata side are placed sixth in the 12th Hero I-League table and are level on points with Neroca (fifth). It may be noted that Neroca have a better goal difference (and a game in hand) than Bagan. Bagan, who beat Minerva Punjab in the last game, pressed hard from the start but were denied by resolute defending.

Neroca too had their chances as they breached the home team’s defence in short intervals. Despite Subhash Singh and Malem (supported by Aryn Williams and Felix Chidi) being a constant threat goalkeeper Shilton Paul ensured that Bagan kept a clean sheet.

Norde and Dipanda Dicka threatened Neroca at times but the visitors held firm at the back. The first-half ended goalless.

A similar script panned out in the second as Neroca held on despite Bagan pounding at the doors. The home team attacked relentlessly to keep the visitors under pressure. Bagan lost a gilt-edged chance when Norde’s superb pass to Dicka was blocked by Lalit Thapa inside the Neroca box at the hour mark. Neroca in contrast lacked the much-needed bite in front of goal.

They soon caved in as Norde scored. The Haitian made a superb solo run on the back of Darren Caldeira’s fine pass before applying the finish. Bagan later snuffed out Neroca’s chances to ensure that the game finished at 1-0.

Mohun Bagan’s Shilton Paul was adjudged the ‘Hero of the Match’.

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Bagan down Minerva to stay alive in title race

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