By Probudhya Guchait
MOHUN BAGAN 3-1 AIZAWL FC
Barasat: Mohun Bagan registered a comfortable 3-1 win over newly promoted Aizawl FC in their first game of the new I-League season.
Cornell Glen scored twice in the first half and Balwant Singh added the third after Pritam Kotal's own goal had put the away side on level terms.
Sanjoy Sen went in with his formidable 4-2-3-1 in quest of defending the coveted I-League title with Glen featuring upfront for the very first time and Japanese sensation Katsumi Yusa deployed in the wings in place of the absent Sony Norde.
Manuel Retamero and his team made their I-League debut with a full strength squad hoping to surprise the Green and Maroon brigade.
The game was off to a flier with the opening goal being scored inside six minutes by Bagan debutant Glen. The former Lajong forward received the ball on the left and calmly slotted it past the Aizawl custodian to score his first for the I-League champions.
Ten minutes later Aizawl managed to restore parity via a Kotal own goal. The FC Pune City full back pushed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear the ball from a Alfred Jayran shot. The scoreline was level inside 16 minutes. In the 22nd minute, Glenn restored the lead for the Kolkata side. Balwant grabbed the chance on the counter after a corner. The forward made a run from the left to find Glen outside the box. The Trinidadian received the ball to swivel 180 degrees to shoot past a hapless Poirei Soram.
The third goal for the Mariners came 15 minutes before half time. Balwant blazed past the Aizawl defenders with his pace and his right footer found the bottom left corner, beating the ex-Bengaluru FC custodian.
The second half turned into a drab encounter with nothing much resulting from the few attacks from either side. Kinshuk Debnath almost managed to scare the Mariners in the 51st minute which could have been the second own goal of the game. The youngster tried to clear the ball but his horrific effort went just wide of the net. On the stroke of the hour, Balwant tried to take a shot but did not make Poirei Soram sweat much in front of the net. In the 67th minute Glen had a chance to score his hat-trick but a bad decision to only head the ball costed him as the keeper kicked the ball clear.
Aizawl were on the attack a minute later, Biakthanga’s cross from the right found Jayran. The Liberian took a shot only for Kinshuk to clear it away.
With 20 minutes left to go on the clock, the away side had a chance on the edge of the box. Skipper Mstluanga’s freekick could not go past the wall. The rebound was then shot off into the stands.
Albert latched onto an opportunity in the 79th minute as his shot grazed past the outside of the net. Aizawl missed a real chance in this effort. Mohun Bagan were second best on the pitch towards the end. The second division champions though. failed to capitalize on the chances created as they lacked the finishing touch and did not pose much of a threat in the final third.
The title-holders held onto grab all three points and march onto their quest of retaining the I-League trophy. It was a good outing for the debutants Aizawl but their inexperience was pretty much evident.
MOHUN BAGAN 3-1 AIZAWL FC
Barasat: Mohun Bagan registered a comfortable 3-1 win over newly promoted Aizawl FC in their first game of the new I-League season.
Cornell Glen scored twice in the first half and Balwant Singh added the third after Pritam Kotal's own goal had put the away side on level terms.
Sanjoy Sen went in with his formidable 4-2-3-1 in quest of defending the coveted I-League title with Glen featuring upfront for the very first time and Japanese sensation Katsumi Yusa deployed in the wings in place of the absent Sony Norde.
Manuel Retamero and his team made their I-League debut with a full strength squad hoping to surprise the Green and Maroon brigade.
The game was off to a flier with the opening goal being scored inside six minutes by Bagan debutant Glen. The former Lajong forward received the ball on the left and calmly slotted it past the Aizawl custodian to score his first for the I-League champions.
Ten minutes later Aizawl managed to restore parity via a Kotal own goal. The FC Pune City full back pushed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear the ball from a Alfred Jayran shot. The scoreline was level inside 16 minutes. In the 22nd minute, Glenn restored the lead for the Kolkata side. Balwant grabbed the chance on the counter after a corner. The forward made a run from the left to find Glen outside the box. The Trinidadian received the ball to swivel 180 degrees to shoot past a hapless Poirei Soram.
The third goal for the Mariners came 15 minutes before half time. Balwant blazed past the Aizawl defenders with his pace and his right footer found the bottom left corner, beating the ex-Bengaluru FC custodian.
The second half turned into a drab encounter with nothing much resulting from the few attacks from either side. Kinshuk Debnath almost managed to scare the Mariners in the 51st minute which could have been the second own goal of the game. The youngster tried to clear the ball but his horrific effort went just wide of the net. On the stroke of the hour, Balwant tried to take a shot but did not make Poirei Soram sweat much in front of the net. In the 67th minute Glen had a chance to score his hat-trick but a bad decision to only head the ball costed him as the keeper kicked the ball clear.
Aizawl were on the attack a minute later, Biakthanga’s cross from the right found Jayran. The Liberian took a shot only for Kinshuk to clear it away.
With 20 minutes left to go on the clock, the away side had a chance on the edge of the box. Skipper Mstluanga’s freekick could not go past the wall. The rebound was then shot off into the stands.
Albert latched onto an opportunity in the 79th minute as his shot grazed past the outside of the net. Aizawl missed a real chance in this effort. Mohun Bagan were second best on the pitch towards the end. The second division champions though. failed to capitalize on the chances created as they lacked the finishing touch and did not pose much of a threat in the final third.
The title-holders held onto grab all three points and march onto their quest of retaining the I-League trophy. It was a good outing for the debutants Aizawl but their inexperience was pretty much evident.
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