Fed Cup 2017: Outstanding Balwant leads Mohun Bagan to an emphatic victory over DSK

Outstanding Balwant leads Mohun Bagan to an emphatic victory over DSK | Image: XtraTime
Outstanding Balwant leads Mohun Bagan to an emphatic victory over DSK | Image: XtraTime
Internet Desk: Mohun Bagan begins their Federation Cup campaign with an emphatic fashion as the most successful club of the tournament thumped DSK Shivajians by a resounding 4-0 scoreline. Balwant Singh scored two outstanding goals to give his team a desired start to this competition. Darryl Duffy and Jeje Lalpekhlua too found their names on the score-sheet.

Mohun Bagan got their first chance in the 12th minute  Sony lobbed the ball to switch the flank as Katsumi chested it down and back-passed to Duffy. Duffy, inside the box lashed it out on the first time and the side-volleyed shot was parried out by DSK goalkeeper Poirei.

In the 19th minute, Bagan tried to open up the right flank as Rinzuala had been non-existent. Narzary had to track back to defend. Meanwhile, Souvik laid onto Balwant and Sony for a one-two and the latter took a swipe on target but goalkeeper Soram Porai made a fine save to prevent the goal.

Mohun Bagan opened their account in the 24th minute when Sony Norde made a gorgeous run down the right and delivered an inch-perfect ball for Balwant Singh, who rattled the back of the net with a thumping header to make it 1-0.

In the 28th minute, Norde and Balwant combined again and Balwant took a turn in and went for glory but it was kept brilliantly out for a corner by Poirei who made a despairing save.

DSK got their first opportunity in the 32nd minute when Sanju Pradhan, after some relentless effort launched himself to go into the box going past three men. He had a clear sight on goal but he selflessly, chose to pass to Narzary whose effort got a block at Kotal’s thighs as it was cleared.

Though Mohun Bagan tried to test the skills of Soram Poirei with shots from distance by Subhashish Bose and Pritam Kotal, but on both the occasions the shots went over the cross bar.

DSK started the second half with much more intent but the final pass let them down time and again.

In the 63rd minute, Juan Quero swiveled and from more than 22 yards out he went for the shot with Souvik and Anas seemed helpless but the ball sailed inches over the cross bar.

Mohun Bagan doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Darryl Duffy got his first goal this season away from home. Sony Norde’s corner kick was deflected by a tumbling Eduardo and Poirei and Jerry could only look on as Duffy leaped and headed it banging in on the roof of the net.

Mohun Bagan made it 3-0 in the 71st minute as Balwant Singh got his deserved brace of the evening. Duffy flayed it for Souvik who slammed into a defender and Balwant took a soft shot as Rohit Kumar blocks it. But, the rebound shot was brilliantly measured by the Bagan forward and it gave no chance to the DSK custodian to save it.
Substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua put the final nail in the coffin in the 91st minute with a calm finish to complete goal-fest.
The win puts the defending champions on the top of the group with a better goal difference.