Internet Desk: Mohun Bagan created history winning their 14th Federation Cup title after gap of 7 years. Mohun Bagan downed Aizawl FC 5-0 which is the biggest margin ion the history of the tournament with goals from Sony Norde (48’), Dhanachandra Singh (58’), Jeje Lalpekhlua (73’ and 88’) and Bikramjit Singh (82’) to win the 2016 edition of the Federation Cup.
Mohun Bagan had the first chance as early as in he third minute. Yusa and Glen combined and found Norde who made space for himself down the left and cut it back for Jeje. The Mizoram striker shot from close range but Ricky Lallawmawma was at hand to block his effort.
In the 24th minute, Lalmuankima’s delicious cross from the left missed the onrushing Sunday by a whisker. After the half hour mark, Yusa’s corner-kick fell to an unmarked Glen whose tame shot was easily gathered by Poirei.
Aizawl’s left channel wasn’t very effective for most of the first half while Bagan hoped that their central midfield partnership of Bikamjit and Pronay put in a dominating performance in the second session. The first half ended 0-0.
The deadlock was broken just three minutes into the second half. Bikramjit’s lobbed pass into the opposition box saw Jeje chest it down onto the path of an onrushing Norde. The Haitian was under no pressure whatsoever as he slotted the ball home with the simplest of finishes as Poirei couldn’t stop it despite diving to his right.
The Kolkata outfit doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Yusa’s corner was aimed towards to the far post where Dhanachandra’s powerful header didn’t offer Poirei any chance whatsoever.
The Green and Maroon brigade all but confirmed their victory in the 73rd minute when Jeje added his name on the scoresheet. Glen’s back-heel for Jeje saw the latter’s curling effort sail into the bottom corner as Aizawl FC were stunned as to what had hit them after the break.
In the 82nd minute, Bikramjit Singh slotted the ball into an empty net from close range. This was after Norde ran from the left past a couple of Aizawl defenders to square it for the midfielder who applied the finishing touch.
The final nail in the coffin came in the 88th minute as substitute Azharuddin Mullick crossed from the left for Jeje who tapped into the net as Aizawl defense was guilty of not marking the latter inside the box.