I-League: Bagan make it eight in a row

New Delhi: Mohun Bagan's winning streak continues as they bagged another three points by beating Air India at the Cooperage Stadium in a 13th round I-League fixture, which means that they have now won eight consecutive league games.

Karim Bencherifa's side are on 27 points, one behind league leaders Sporting Clube De Goa. Air India are on sixth spot with 17 points.

Air India were forced to employ a completely different midfield due to injuries and suspension as Rajesh Meetei, Thomte and Gauranga Biswas filled in. For Mohun Bagan, Rakesh Masih replaced the injured Lal Kamal Bhowmick.

The match started with both teams trying to dominate early on. The first opportunity befell the home side when Kailash Patil's ball was taken on a volley by Gauranga Biswas only to slot it way wide in the 13th minute.

Air India frontline produced a moment of magic with fine interplay of one touch football. Gauranga Biswas found Kailash Patil inside the box whose eventual ball for fellow striker Subhash Singh saw a cool finish.

After conceding, Mohun Bagan sprung into recovery job led by Marcos Pereira. The Brazilian wasted an opportunity when he sent the ball straight into the hands of goalkeeper Arup Debnath while he was way off his line.

Bhaichung Bhutia relayed a ball into Jose Baretto's path but Amritpal Singh and Chukuwama Udofia did enough.Marcos took a short corner which the linesman surprisingly didn't find legal. Off the retaken corner kick by James Singh, an unmarked Rakesh Masih sent the ball over the bar from inside the box.

Around the half hour mark, Mohun Bagan's winger – Ishfaq Ahmed and James Singh switched flanks. The best moment of the first half came when James Singh's cross for Baretto was laid by the latter for Marcos. The Bagan medio sent in a powerful shot from 22 yards which was brilliantly saved by the Air India custodian Arup Debnath.

In the 42nd minute, Narenda Meetei couldn't continue after taking a knock and in came Agnelo Picardo. Just at the stroke of half time, a Bagan player and Air India custodian clashed. The referee O.P.Thakur surprisingly gave a corner-kick which saw the Air India coach Bimal Ghosh complain to the fourth official.

James Singh's perfect delivery was headed in by Jose Baretto to restore parity. It was a well deserved goal for their efforts after going down.

In the second session, both teams once again tried to stamp their authority in the early stages but with a cautious approach.The 54th minute saw Kailash Patil attempt a long ranger from 25 yards which was well collected by Bagan custodian Sangram Mukherjee.

Around the hour mark, entered Emmanuel Ovieghara for Air India and a few minutes later, Uttam Singh was booked for a foul on Marcos. Bhaichung Bhutia and Jose Baretto combined with the latter's left footer go just wide with goalkeeper Arup Debnath diving to his left in his bid to cover.

The winning goal came in the 69th minute. Bhaichung Bhutia from his own half released the ball for Ishfaq Ahmed who ran into the rival territory and slowed his pace to draw a few Air India defenders around him. At the opportune moment, the ball was given to Baretto who slotted it in.

Agnelo Picardo was a disappointment for Air India and his only contribution on the game was a yellow card. Air India coach Bimal Ghosh threw in Samson Singh in the hopes of getting an equaliser.

Samson'cross was sent towards Ovieghara by Udofia which saw the Nigerian striker attempt a strike but he found the feet of Habibur instead of the ball. The two substitutes once again combined with Ovieghara hitting the post in the 80th minute.

Syhlo Malswamtulunga's cross almost resulted in an Air India own goal as their defender hit the crossbar. Lalwampuia had a great chance to add his name into the scoresheet after Rakesh and Baretto's good work but the striker's final shot was tame.

The final minute of the game saw Uttam Singh being sent-off for tripping James Singh.

Scorers: Subhas Singh (Air India) 20’, Jose Ramirez Barreto (Mohun Bagan) 45’, 69’

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