Kolkata, West Bengal: Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerala FC shared a point each post a thrilling 2-2 draw in Wednesday’s only game of the 12th Hero I-League. The game that was being played at the YBK Stadium in Kolkata, saw the home side failing to secure a much-needed win post their loss in the Kolkata derby earlier this week. While the home side drew first blood through Shilton D’Silva in the 18th minute, their heroics were soon nullified thanks to an own goal in the 21st minute, due to a miscommunication between their defender Kim Kima and goalkeeper Shilton Paul.

Their woes doubled up as Gokulam Kerala FC fired in a second through Marcus Joseph in the 24th minute to take a lead of 2-1. Mohun Bagan finally rescued them from a loss in the 60th minute when Dipanda Dicka scored the equaliser from a Henry Kisseka pass. Gokulam’s goalkeeper Arnab Das Sarma was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

Mohun Bagan started the game in their traditional Maroon and Green while Gokulam in their home strip of Brown and Orange. Khalid Jamil made three changes to the playing XI that had lost the Kolkata derby to Quess East Bengal on Sunday. While Shilton D’Silva, Arijit Bagui and Azharuddin Mallick found their way in, Abhishek Ambekar, Pintu Mahata and Darren Caldeira were left out for today’s clash.

Gokulam Kerala FC also made four changes to the squad today with their latest recruit Fabien Vorbe, Mohamed Irshad, Brijesh T.B. and Suhair VP finding their way back into the playing eleven.

The away side started on an attacking note, with their first attempt to score coming within the first minute from Marcus Joseph’s long ranger, which shot over an out-of-position Mohun Bagan goalkeeper. Mohun Bagan were lucky that the ball curled away from goal, narrowly missing the target.

Gokulam again hit back within a minute when Imran Khan struck again but missed the target. However, within the first 10 minutes of the game, the hosts had four to five opportunities to score but couldn’t, thanks to Gokulam’s careful and alert defenders and some good goalkeeping by their custodian Arnab Das.

Mohun Bagan, after those two early scares, increased the pressure on Gokulam, attacking in short bursts and trying to draw first blood but were unable to break the defensive deadlock. Their efforts finally paid off when Shilton D’Silva headed in a beautiful corner kick from Sony Norde in the 18th minute to give the home side a hard-earned lead in the game. However, the celebrations did not last for long as just three minutes later, some poor communication between their goalkeeper Shilton Paul and defender Kim Kima led to an own goal from the latter, gifting Gokulam Kerala FC the equaliser.

After this, the Malabarians upped the tempo through the flanks – causing trouble for the Bagan defence. They soon earned their lead, capitalising on Mohun Bagan’s defensive lapses in the 24th minute when Marcus Joseph made no mistake beating defender Kingsley to fire into the net over an again out-of-position Shilton Paul – taking the score to 1-2 in favour of the visitors.

Mohun Bagan, who were rattled by their own errors, were found trailing by a goal and started attacking again but were unsuccessful in breaching through the rock-solid Gokulam defence. Their closest chance to an equaliser came in the final seconds of the regulation time of the first half when Kisseka missed a golden opportunity to score from the front of the Gokulam goal. The first half came to an end with the scoreline reading 1-2 in Gokulam Kerala’s favour.

The second period began with Mohun Bagan beginning the attacks and looking for an equaliser but as in the first, both their midfield and forward lines seemed a little off-colour and lacked the impetus to create goal scoring opportunities. Gokulam Kerala FC’s defence line, along with their goalkeeper Arnab Das, ensured that none of the attempts from the home team proved threatening enough.

As the second half passed by and post Mehtab Hossain’s entry in the 53rd minute, there were some positive changes in the midfield with Mehtab and El Hussieny combining well. This saw a sudden increase in pace from Mohun Bagan with them attacking continuously through Kisseka and Dicka with able support from Faiaz and Sony Norde on the wings. Their consistent attempts soon paid off when an inch-perfect lofted pass from Kisseka was beautifully directed into the goal by Dipanda Dicka in the 60th minute to finally secure the equaliser for Mohun Bagan.

The game thereafter changed pace as Mohun Bagan sprung back to action looking for that much-needed lead in the game but full marks to Gokulam Kerala FC, as they ensured they didn’t give in to the charged momentum from the home side. Mohun Bagan came close a few times to score for the third time but a lack of direction and some heavy touches eluded them of that decisive goal for a win.

The game in the latter half saw a much more organised Mohun Bagan but their efforts were nullified thanks to an alert Gokulam defence. The match finally ended in a 2-2 draw with both Mohun Bagan and Gokulam Kerala FC sharing a point each.

(I-League Media)

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir: Hero I-League debutants Real Kashmir completed the double over Chennai City FC after beating the table-toppers by a margin of one goal to nil at the TRC Ground in Srinagar on Monday.

This win takes the Snow Leopards level on points with second-placed Churchill Brothers (28). However, the northernmost team of the 12th Hero I-League remains third on points table as their match against the Red Machines ended in a stalemate earlier this season, and the Goan side has a superior goal difference.

An 81st-minute goal by Gnohere Krizo did the trick for David Robertson’s men, who played a distinct Scottish-style football in the freezing Srinagar weather against Chennai. The Ivorian attacker was also awarded the Hero of the Match for his efforts.

The game began at great pace as both the teams tried to get the early lead. While Chennai played their brand of swift passing football with a Spanish flavour to it, Kashmir were more reliant on aerial counter-attacks, depending on the hold-up play of Mason Robertson and Krizo.

The first real chance of the match came on the 35th minute when Krizo broke free of the Chennai defence and had just goalkeeper Santana Garcia to beat in front of him. However, the latter produced a fine save off the Ivorian’s volley to keep the scores level.

It was all about Real Kashmir, who used the 11,000-odd home supporters to their advantage to create chances. But much to his credit, Santana stood strong and kept the scores level at half time.

Both sides came out all guns blazing after the changeover and it was an absolute spectacle for the fans who braved the cold to make it to the stadium. Kashmir’s Katebe headed a corner over the bar, while Chennai City’s Nestor failed to control a delicate pass by Sandro, which he merely had to tap into the goal.

Chennai Head Coach Akbar Nawas brought on midfielder Pravitto Raju with around 30 minutes of regulation time left on the clock but that did not deter the home side, who used their physical advantage to create the chances.

Krizo had another great opportunity on the 72nd minute when Robertson headed him through. The Ivorian dribbled past two defenders and unleashed a fine shot, but Santana was up to the task and parried it away.

With just nine minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Krizo finally put a chance away, as he nodded in a cross from the right flank, sending the home fans into delirium.

Real Kashmir could have doubled their lead just four minutes later as Bazie Armand thudded a Surchandra corner onto the crossbar. Chennai City gave it an almighty effort in the last few minutes but failed to come up with the goods.

This Real Kashmir win throws the title-race wide open, as there is just a five-point difference between the top (Chennai) and the fourth-placed team (Quess East Bengal), with the latter having played one match less.

(I-League Media)

Kolkata, West Bengal: In front of 62,629 roaring die-hards at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), Quess East Bengal (QEB) rode on goals from Jamies Santos Colado and Jobby Justin, to win their second Kolkata Derby on the trot against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and stay firmly in the race for the 12th Hero I-League.

It was a characteristically scrappy affair for most parts of the big clash, but in the end, the quality of QEB’s attacking force had the final say as a ragged Bagan surrendered the game and by all accounts, any hopes of a second title win.

QEB dominated possession and all other key statistics of the game to remain in fourth place after 13 games, but are now just five behind leaders Chennai. Mohun Bagan remain confined to the sixth spot with 21 points from 14 completed games.

It seemed initially that hosts Mohun Bagan had made just the one change to their starting line-up from their previous game, bringing in a fit now Pintu Mahata in place of Azharuddin Mallick.

However, just before kick-off, coach Khalid Jamil also had to crucially pull out Japanese holding midfielder Yuta Kinowaki due to injury and start forward Henry Kisseka instead.

QEB, who were officially the visiting side for the game, brought back Lalrindika ‘Didika’ Ralte, who had to miss the last game due to suspension, in place of Manoj Mohammad at the left wing-back position.

Jobby found an opening to score as early as the 6th minute of the game and the follow-up shot by Laldanmawia Ralte also went straight to keeper Shilton Paul, in the Bagan goal.

Bagan had two chances to score in the first half hour. First, when Dipanda Dicka came close in the 26th minute off a Sony Norde cross from the left, and then the Haitian star winger himself was in clear sight of goal half-way inside the QEB box, only to be thwarted by a determined Lalram Chullova.

QEB were beginning to move well going forward. The pair of Jobby and Jamie combined for the first goal in the 35th minute of the game.

Kamalpreet started the move from the QEB defence, aiming for Justin on the right flank. The Kerala striker shrugged off Eze Kingsley’s challenge and drove inside the box, finding Colado with a neat cut back. The Spaniard controlled, made space with a deft body move to take out the Bagan defence and nailed a left-footer calmly past Shilton to give QEB the lead.

In the 53rd minute, Bagan seemed to have found the equaliser after a booming Eze Kingsley header off a Sony Norde corner, hit the bar and came back for Darren Caldeira to head towards Dicka’s foot, after which the ball went in. However, Dicka’s shot hit Darren Caldeira on the goal line, on its way in, and the linesman flagged offside.

The mercurial Jobby then scored his eighth goal of the campaign to take the game away from Bagan.

From a Didika corner in the 76th minute, the highest Indian goal scorer of the league rose like a phoenix in between Gurjinder and Dicka, manning the Bagan near post to execute a terrific glancing header into the net.

The Malayali striker was rightfully awarded the Hero of the Match for a sterling display.

(I-League Media)

Imphal, Manipur: The Northeastern Derby between NEROCA FC and Aizawl FC ended in a goalless draw with both the teams sharing a point each. The eventful and highly competitive game saw Neroca’s Brazilian defender Eduardo Ferreira receive a red card for a dangerous challenge on Zikahi Dodoz in the 48th minute. Malemnganba Meitei was adjudged as the Hero of the Match.

Neroca FC, after two continuous defeats to Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers, started the game searching for a win to return to title contention. However, it was the visitors Aizawl FC who seemed to press hard to draw first blood but were unable to convert opportunities in their favour.

The Manipuri side, on the other hand, started attacking a little later and were in better control of the game leading it to a good amount of time mid-way into the first half. The hosts made a few interesting moves and breached into the Aizawl box quite a few times but full credit to the Aizawl defenders and goalkeeper Lalawmpuia, who ensured that the hosts do not edge them out early.

While the first half ended goallessly, it was a highly entertaining 45 minutes, as both the teams displayed good football. The highlight of the first half could be summed up with missed opportunities by Aizawl FC when their Nigerian forward Kareem Nurain’s shot from just outside the box hit the post and thereafter was cleared comfortably by the Neroca defence.

The second half began on an eventful note as Neroca FC’s Brazilian defender Eduardo Ferreira was shown the red card in the 48th minute for a dangerous challenge on Aizawl’s Ivorian forward Zikahi Dodoz. Neroca FC, who were now down to 10 men had more trouble coming their way with two back-to-back yellow cards for Sebastian. Thangmuansang, in the 50th minute, and Aryn Williams, in the 52nd minute, for rash challenges.

The game, thereafter, saw the visitors pressing hard on the 10-man Neroca FC at regular intervals, but couldn’t really make the most of all the opportunities that came their way. While Neroca FC did make a few attempts to score but nothing was impressive enough to trouble the Aizawal defence. The goalless game came to an end with both Neroca FC and Aizawl FC sharing the points.

(I-League Media)

Vasco, Goa: Willis Plaza today showcased his class as he fired twice for Churchill Brothers FC Goa in their 2-1 win against Indian Arrows today. The game was being played at the Tilak Maidan in Goa.

Plaza, who has also adjudged the Hero of the Match, scored his first in the 22nd minute off a header while his second came in the 45th minute that gave Churchill the lead after Deepak Tangri’s eaqualiser for Indian Arrows in the 38th minute.

With this win, Churchill are now placed second in the Hero I-League points table with 28 points, two short of league toppers Chennai City FC.

Hosts Churchill Brothers pressed hard right from the first minute, but the young Indian Arrows defenders ensured they stand tall to their reputation. Willis Plaza in combination with Dawda Ceesay and Anthony Wolfe kept pressing hard on the young Arrows from both sides but full credit to the visitors, their defenders stood strong to deny Churchill any clear opportunity to score.

On the other hand, the Indian Arrows did make some interesting moves, breaching the Churchill defense line as well at times, but a lack of a creative finish and experience kept the youngsters away from scoring. Churchill who did not stop with their attacks were soon rewarded when an inch-perfect pass from Dawda Ceesay was beautifully headed inside the goal by Willis Plaza in the 22nd minute, stunning the Arrows goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill.

This took Churchill Brothers 1-0 up in the game. Churchill Brothers thereafter kept pressing hard to double their lead but the Arrows defenders were more attentive now denying the hosts any chance to double their lead. However, the Indian Arrows attacking front kept on with their attacks in short intervals trying hard to find an equalizer.

The Indian Arrows were soon rewarded with an equaliser in the 38th minute when Deepak Tangri headed the ball into the back of the net from an Abhijit Sarkar corner kick. This equaliser got the Indian Arrows pressing harder, this time in search of taking the lead but their efforts did not yield any results. Churchill, who were now mostly attacking on the counter, saw their lead in the 45th minute when Willis Plaza snatched his second goal showcasing individual brilliance, beating the Arrows defenders and finally keeper Prabhsukan Gill. Churchill finished the first half with a 2-1 lead over Indian Arrows.

The second half got underway with the home side pressing hard to keep the pressure on their young visitors. However, a sturdy defence line on both sides ensured that either of the teams did not get any clear chance to add another goal to the scoreline.

The game, which was a little physical in the second half, saw Churchill Brothers pressing really hard to score. Anthony Wolfe, along with Willis Plaza were again attacking from both flanks but were unable to trouble the Indian Arrows defenders.

Indian Arrows tried making the most of the set-pieces that they were awarded, but couldn’t find that equaliser that they were looking for. Indian Arrows’ efforts were nearly rewarded when a penalty was awarded to them in the 84th minute.

Unfortunately, Sanjeev Stalin, who took the shot, could not convert it thanks to an outstanding save from Churchill goalkeeper James Kithan. This probably was the closest that the Arrows got to scoring the equaliser in the second half. The game thereafter saw numerous attacking moves from both sides but the scoreline remained unchanged at 2-1 to Churchill Brothers FC Goa’s favour.

(I-League Media)