Internet Desk: Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan start their AFC Cup journey on a winning note in the first leg of the qualifiers against Sri Lankan champions Colombo FC, as the Green and Maroon brigade defeated them by 2-1 at the Race Course Ground on Tuesday. The home team had certainly thrown a stiff challenge, but Sehnaj Singh scored a world-class winning goal to snatch a victory for Sanjoy Sen’s team.
Mohun Bagan started the game in a positive note, but it was Colombo FC’s Nigerian forward Lewis who had an early attempt on goal, which was nicely saved by Shilton Paul, who got the opportunity to play for Sanjoy Sen’s side after a long time.
Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 13th minute through a dream move when Pritam played a superb forward through for Prabir Das, who kept a fine cross for Kean Lewis and the winger made no mistake to put the ball at the back of the net. In the 17th minute.
In the 20th minute, Pritam delivered a phenomenal ball from the right for Katsumi, but the Japanese missed an open sitter to put his name on the score sheet.
In the 24th minute, Colombo FC’s Zarwan wasted a fine opportunity to equalize, but his header went just over the bar. The equalizer came in the 31st minute, when Nigerian Lewis scored a sensational individual goal from distance put further pressure on the Indian giant. He took the ball on the right, dribbled past Bikramjit and blasted the ball at the far top corner of the net.
In the 50th minute, Colombo FC got a wonderful opportunity when Zarwan’s powerful header went inches wide. Darryl Duffy wasted the easiest chance of the game in the 52nd minute when he failed to put the ball in the open net as his shot deflected off the finger tips of the local goalkeeper. In the 69th minute, Rameez’s header went just over the bar as Colombo missed another golden opportunity.
In the 70th minute, Sehnaj Singh scored a breathtaking individual goal from almost 40 yards out to give a 2-1 lead to his side, which gave the Sri Lankan custodian no chance to react. The goal would certainly be one of the best goals of the competition.
Colombo FC tried to come back strongly after conceding the second goal, but Bagan custodian Shilton Paul produced a stellar performance to prevent the Sri Lankans to equalize. In the b82nd minute, Rifnaaz went for a long range attempt on goal but it missed the far post narrowly.
The win would certainly be a huge advantage before the second leg as the Mariners will be bolstered by the availability of Haitian Sony Norde and Brazilian Eduardo Ferreira when they will take on Colombo FC on 7th February.