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.

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During the course of the campaign, Indian Arrows have beaten defending champions Minverva Punjab FC, Shillong Lajong (twice), Gokulam Kerala, and former champions Aizawl FC and Mohun Bagan.

Both coaches Khalid Jamil and Floyd Pinto went for wholesale changes at the start of the game, making seven and six respectively, in a fixture essentially between two sides assured of a mid-table finish.

The first half did not see the game reach great heights but the young Arrows certainly looked the more enterprising, creating several openings to score.

The home team, though, took the lead in the 17th minute through Azharuddin Mallick after a move initiated by Sony Norde, saw the Hiatian winger play off Henry Kisseka, run in and cross from the left of the Arrows box. Kisseka missed the first bit, but the talented Under-22 youngster was at hand to slot it home.

The Arrows hit back in the 28th minute when an Anwar Ali free-kick was fumbled by keeper Ricardo Cardozo, before Abhijeet Sarkar struck off the rebound.

As the players came on for the second half, Mohun Bagan coach Khaleed Jamil brought on Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka, expressing clear intentions. He also replaced goal-scorer Mallick with Egyptian playmaker Omar Elhussieny.

However, Floyd Pinto’s team was not to be bogged down and after initial Bagan forays, it was the Indian Arrows who went ahead in the 74th minute after a brilliantly-crafted move, executed with pace.

Substitute Neenthoi, who had come in barely two minutes earlier, played the pass from midfield finding Boris in space on the right. The right-wing back made a purposeful run into the box, looked up and found an onrushing Rahul KP with the cutback. Rahul made no mistake with a calm and composed finish.

The young guns secured the three points in injury time. In a seemingly harmless defensive position, keeper Cordozo, who had a forgetful day, came out of his area to clear the ball with his head straight onto a waiting Rohit Danu, who slotted from distance into an empty goal.

Both Bagan and Arrows remain in sixth and seventh positions, respectively, with the gap between the two now narrowed to five points.

Also Read: East Bengal deliver KO to Real Kashmir!

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Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka put the Green and Maroons ahead with an early strike. Former Bagan man Ansumana Kromah drew Aizawl level on the half-hour mark. Bagan left it late as defender Singh hit home the winner with just 12 minutes of regulation time left.

This win secures Bagan’s place in sixth in the league table as they draw level with Neroca FC. The Manipuri club is ahead on goal difference.

Bagan boss Khalid Jamil adopted attacking tactics in search of an early goal. Kisekka latched on to Abinash Ruidas’ free-kick and scored in the 22nd minute.

Kromah lined up a shot from outside the Bagan penalty area and sent it into the bottom corner. 1-1 to Aizawl eight minutes after conceding!

Jamil brought Egyptian Omar Elhussieny for veteran Mehtab Hossain in the second half to add more creativity in the middle. Bikramjit Singh hit home Sony Norde’s freekick and gave Bagan the winner late in the second half.

Jamil brought on Darren Caldeira for Kisekka to bolster the back-line as Aizawl went full throttle.

Bagan held on and won!

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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!

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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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Though the win improves Bagan’s chances of a top-half finish they still have an outside chance to win the 12th Hero I-League title.

Egyptian midfielder Omar El Hussieny converted a penalty in the first-half while Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka scored in the second. This is Bagan’s fifth win of the season.

Jamil’s team consolidate their hold on sixth spot in the league table.

Minerva on the other hand are stuck on seventh with hopes of a title defence looking improbable.

Jamil played Gurjinder and Dalraj (defence) and Abhishek Ambekar (left-back) and kept Arijit Bagui and Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka on the bench. Dicka was the lone striker while Sony Norde played on the left wing.

Minerva coach Paul Munster played Yu Kuboki and Prabhjot Singh upfront due to the unavailability of William Opoku.

Bagan despite dominating possession couldn’t find a way past Minerva in the first-half. The visitors at times defended with nine men in their own half!

The home team broke the deadlock when Omar El Hussieny scored from the spot at the halfway mark.

The Kolkata outfit’s strategy of holding on to possession caused Minerva problems in the second-half.

It worked when Dicka beat goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy (and the off-side trap!) to score Bagan’s second goal in the 69th minute. Norde’s through-ball in the build-up to the goal was worth a mention!

Roy’s fantastic save off El Hussieny ensured that Minerva didn’t concede again.

The second-half introduction of Moinuddin, Dilliram Sanyasi and Makan Winkle Chote didn’t make a difference for Minerva.

Bagan host Neroca FC in two days’ time while Minerva have a 10-day break before their game against Gokulam Kerala at home.

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That may be true given Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty’s assessment: “Real Kashmir’s team confidence level is in a very good position because of the points on the league table. In the last two matches, they have won one and drawn the other game with big club teams. They have been performing pretty well.”

Kashmir have had a dream run in the Hero I-League so far. And victory at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) would take them within touching distance of second-placed Neroca FC.

The debutantes are on a six-game unbeaten streak with three of those wins coming away from home. Of course they did lose to Bagan in the previous leg at home…but that was in the past!

If rock-solid defending is the hallmark for Kashmir (the 1-1 draw against East Bengal at the VYBK is a good example) then the same cannot be said for Bagan.

“We have played Mohun Bagan in our TRC ground, but we didn’t do enough to get something from the game. We just hope we will be able to play well tomorrow again as we played the last match. It was the first time that many of our players are playing on such a big stage. Although Mohun Bagan have lost the last match when a team loses they do have a high possibility of bouncing back,” said David Robertson (coach, Real Kashmir).

“We are in good form. We have done a lot better than expected. Since March 2017 we haven’t lost a single away match, (but) at some point it will break. As long as we keep playing and fighting as we have been, then we have half a chance tomorrow. If you don’t keep eye on strikers of Mohun Bagan for full 90 minutes, they might cause a problem just like what happened in TRC ground. We are a big club. We’ve just got to continue defensively. We have been very good and we have to make sure to remain tight. We know it for sure that it is going to be a tough game,” he added.

While Kashmir has conceded only six times so far Bagan has leaked in twice the number of goals. The duo of Kofi Tetteh and Gnohere Krizo may run rings around the home team who welcome back Sony Norde.

“Sony Norde is fit and will be there in first 18. We will be playing tomorrow’s match for winning the three points. Kashmir is a very good team, especially their foreigners – very strong physically as well as technically too and the local players who are also working as a team, bringing them to the top of the league. We have been showing a positive attitude towards improving in both attacking as well as in defence too,” said Chakraborty.

Bagan need Dipanda Dicka and Henry Kisekka (the duo have a combined total of eight goals) to fire while Kashmir may play the waiting game.

Though Kashmir have Bilal Khan (goalkeeper) and Loveday, Katebe, Mason Roebrtson, Dharmaraj Ravanan and Abhash Thapa (all defenders) still write Bagan off at your own peril on Sunday!

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